Vermont's clean water funding helps municipalities, farmers, and others implement projects that will reduce nutrient and sediment pollution from all sectors: agriculture; developed lands, including stormwater and roads; unstable streambanks and lakeshores; and wastewater. Clean water projects also protect public health and safety, support Clean Water Act compliance, increase flood resilience, enhance recreation, improve fish and wildlife habitat, save money over the long-term and leverage federal funds.
Vermont’s clean water funding comprises Capital Funds and the Clean Water Fund with revenue from the Meals and Rooms Tax Allocation, Property Transfer Tax Surcharge and unclaimed bottle deposits.
Recommendations for how state Clean Water Funding is allocated are made by the Clean Water Board, with representation from five state agency secretaries: Administration; Agriculture, Food and Markets; Commerce and Community Development; Natural Resources; and Transportation. In addition, four members of the public are appointed by the Governor.
For more information, view the clean water funding factsheet or contact ANR.CleanWaterVT@vermont.gov.
Visit the Clean Water Board Meetings webpage for upcoming meeting details and to view past meeting materials and minutes.
The State Fiscal Year 2024 Clean Water Budget Process
Results of the Public Comment Period
Vermont's Clean Water Board requested public input on its draft State Fiscal Year 2024 Clean Water Budget from October 24 - November 22, 2022. The public provided input to help the Board prioritize funding for projects that improve water quality in Vermont's lakes, streams, and wetlands. View the State Fiscal Year 2024 Responsiveness Summary for a summary of and response to public comment.
Approval of State Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
The Clean Water Board met December 7, 2022, and adopted the State Fiscal Year 2024 Clean Water Budget (pending legislature authorization). View the final proposed SFY 2024 Clean Water Budget and Budget Overview document. Visit the Clean Water Board Meetings webpage for details including minutes, materials, and meeting recordings.
Program Audit of the Clean Water Fund
Vermont Statute requires a Clean Water Fund audit be completed by an independent party by January 15, 2023. Visit Vermont Statutes Online 10 V.S.A. § 1389b for statutory language on the Clean Water Fund audit. The Vermont Agency of Administration posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an independent party to conduct the Program Audit of the Clean Water Fund. Currently no responses have been received and the Vermont Agency of Administration will be working with the Clean Water Board to draft recommendations on next steps for the Legislature.
Clean Water Initiative Reports
Visit the Reports webpage to view annual reports on clean water funding and water quality progress.
Clean Water Initiative Performance Reports
This annual report series, prepared by the Secretary of Administration, summarizes state investments to address priority water quality problems across Vermont.
Other Reports
Available reports include annual federal funding reports related to water quality improvement efforts in Vermont, Vermont Nonpoint Source Management Program annual reports, and others.