RICHMOND, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Grant funding has been authorized to support citizen volunteer water quality monitoring.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality says $88,000 is available in competitive grants, which can be used to buy monitoring equipment, perform laboratory services, and fund-related expenses.
According to a release, the grants can range from less than $1,000 to $11,000.
"In our latest report, over 3,600 stream miles, 41.5 square miles of estuaries, and nearly 30,000 acres of lakes were monitored by volunteer groups," said Water Planning Division Director Jutta Schneider. "Their contributions are important and help the agency evaluate water quality on a wider area than ever before."
Quality Assurance Officer James Beckley says many citizen groups tend to have a budget of less than $5,000 a year, so this grant program can help such volunteer-based groups continue their mission to monitor water quality.
Applications for grant funding are due by Aug. 30.
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