LOWA Grant Funds Available! 

REGISTER NOW TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN RECEIVE UP TO $1000 IN LANDSCAPING AND DISCOUNTED SEPTIC TANK PUMP OUTS NOW LUNCH IS INCLUDED!

Register Now! LUNCH is included and will be served at 11:30 AM (Fried Chicken with all the fixin's!)

12:00 - 1:00 Public Meeting

Please RSVP For Food Count

Lake area property owners can get $1,000 for landscaping and a discounted septic tank pump-outs

By Janet Dabbs

Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance, LOWA, Executive Director Donna Swall recently announced that lake-area property owners can get money for landscaping and septic tank pump-outs through two LOWA cost share programs; the LOWA’s Low Impact Landscaping, LIL’s and the LOWA Septic Tank Pump-out discount.

In August, LOWA was approved to receive a Department of Natural Resources Water Protection 319 Program grant, to use to fund the two LOWA clean-water programs. “LOWA has been so successful with these two programs in the past, that DNR came back and funded us again,” Swall said.  

Swall will discuss the new opportunities at a public meeting scheduled at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District Headquarters in Sunrise Beach.  

LOWA LIL’s

LIL is an acronym for Low Impact Landscaping. Environmentally conscious lakefront property owners and all property owners in the watershed can learn about how they can do their part to protect the health of the Lake of the Ozarks through the implementation of low-impact landscaping. LIL’s reduce storm water run-off, pesticide and nutrient loading from reaching the lake. The Environmental Protection Agency now considers storm water run-off pollution to be one of the ‘most significant contaminants’ to waterways from coast-to-coast.

Through educational workshops and cost-share incentive programs, LOWA seeks to help lake property owners use Best Management Practices on their property. These practices include; beautiful rain gardens, using robust native plants, rain barrels, vegetated buffer strips, less fertilizer or natural fertilizers, pervious pavement and riprap; in place of sea walls on the shoreline.

Along with the education, LOWA will offer 20 percent discount off of $5,000 or a $1,000 maximum discount per yard, for landscaping costs. Heartland Landscaping has stepped forward and is donating 10 percent of the $5,000, or $500 maximum, towards LIL’s and Southwest Stone Supply will donate to all LOWA members an additional 30 percent discount on landscaping materials.   

The LOWA LIL’s discounts will be distributed to property owners in the approved watershed plan boundary, which can be viewed on LOWA’s website at www.lowatershed.org. All discounts will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Septic Tank pump out discounts

Also at the public meeting, attendees will learn about LOWA’s Septic Tank Pump-Out Discount Program and how they can properly maintain their onsite sewage systems. Multiple studies have proven that coves serviced by private septic tanks test higher for eColi than coves serviced by sewer systems. Look for several upcoming LOWA educational workshops on proper septic tank maintenance. Lake area residents can also get discounts for sewer pump-outs, through A&A Septic.

Attendees may sign up for their septic tank pump-out and landscaping discount or for a free landscape consultation with an expert Master Gardener at this public meeting.  

“Currently, the Lake of the Ozarks is a beautiful, healthy, and clean Lake. We can all continue to work together, and do the right things to grow smart and preserve this thriving economic engine and beautiful natural resource,” Swall encouraged.

Refreshments will be provided and reservations are requested. To make a reservation, sign up for discounts or for additional information call Donna Swall at 573 434-4400 or RSVP online.

LOWA is a group of volunteer citizens with a mission statement that reads: Citizens will preserve, protect, and improve the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed, its waters, and natural resources, while maintaining our economic, social and environmental health. 

Register Now!