King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division is making it easier for community groups to launch projects to improve water quality, control pollution and enhance the environment.

The WaterWorks Grant Program will make $850,000 available in 2016, with a maximum award of $500,000. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25.

King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council established the WaterWorks Grant Program in 2015 to support investments in clean water and healthy communities within the Wastewater Treatment Division’s service area.

Nonprofits, schools, cities, counties, special purpose districts and tribes are eligible to apply for the grants. To promote partnerships and community engagement, groups are encouraged to work together on projects.

To be eligible, projects should create a benefit to county sewer utility ratepayers, or improve water quality within the division’s service area.

Examples of projects that are eligible for funding include efforts to: Address a water quality problem or maintain water quality; address water contaminants, i.e. pollution prevention, source identification, fats/oils/grease, product stewardship; protect or improve watersheds, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and tidewaters; building awareness of water quality and environmental protection and promotion of behavioral changes for improved water quality gains/outcomes.

For more information about WTD’s WaterWorks Grants, visit www.kingcounty.gov/waterworks-grants or email water.grants@kingcounty.gov.

King County will host two informational workshops to assist applicants seeking funding through this program:

4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, at North Bellevue Community Center, Room A, 4063 148th Ave. N.E., Bellevue, and

4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Tukwila Community Center, Room A, 12424 42nd Ave. S. Tukwila.