Ask Lyn: Grant is a ‘Good Start’ for the Warsaw Area

Dear Lyn,

I read about your big grant from the State for watershed projects in Warsaw. Does this mean that TWF is ‘good’ for money?

Answer:

You are right, the announcement of the grant is cause for excitement and the response from the community has been fantastic!

This $400,000 grant represents a lot of money, and it is a really good start for reducing the pollution in the Warsaw area’s lakes and streams. But, this funding really only represents a starting point. And here’s why…

Firstly, while public grant funding helps to cover project costs, The Watershed Foundation depends on support from residents and businesses in order to fund its day-to-day operations. Without local financial support, we can’t sustain the staff and services we need to implement the grant-funded works and other programs.

Secondly, TWF has worked for the last 20+ years to make significant improvements to the water quality in the section of the watershed upstream of the Warsaw area, which was the foundation’s original area of responsibility. Furthermore, we have spent more than $4 million to do the necessary work. This funding was a combination of public grants, private donations, and partnership funds.

The new grant funding will go towards works planned for the watershed area surrounding Warsaw and Winona Lake, which is a newer addition to TWF’s portfolio, and is in need of significant intervention.

While the $400,000 grant will allow TWF to kickstart its schedule of works for the area, much more funding will be necessary over the coming years to continue making important improvements to water quality at Center, Chapman, Pike and Winona Lakes.

So to answer your question, yes the big new grant is a huge positive step towards fixing water quality issues in the greater Warsaw area, however TWF and clean water in our local lakes need the continued financial support from the community.