Explanation
BACKGROUND: Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District (DCSWCD) has partnered with Knox, Licking, and Morrow Soil & Water Conservation Districts, with promotional assistance from the Upper Big Walnut Creek Water Quality Partnership, to apply for a grant through the USDA for funding to improve water quality and soil quality in the Scioto River watershed. The Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water, has been offered an opportunity to participate in this grant-funded project through the contribution of a total of $187,000.00. The contribution includes $20,000 per year for five (5) years in the form of cash and $87,000 worth of research, analysis and other expertise through the Division of Water, Watershed Masterplan development.
The Department of Public Utilities is requesting Council’s approval to enter into this partnership agreement once the grant is awarded (contingent upon affirmative award from USDA). The cost break-down is as follows: $20,000.00 (cash) per year for 5 years and $87,000.00 in in-kind match will be provided through the Watershed Master Plan process.
The five annual $20,000.00 payments will be on a year-to-year basis contingent on budget approval each year by Columbus City Council. Because the amount is $20,000, legislation is not required for the annual payments and will be paid through a purchase order and invoice. The Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District will invoice the Division of Water annually in the amount of $20,000. The results of this project/study will help the Department of Public Utilities assess the effectiveness of new technology being developed to address water quality challenges presented by nutrient run-off into the source waters of Hoover and O’Shaughnessy reservoirs. The project will also facilitate implementation of conservation practices to reduce agricultural nutrient runoff.
This project will include the installation of two enriched bioreactors, one upstream of O...
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