City of Tacoma officials announced Thursday “Make a Splash” environmental grants of up to $4,000 are available from the city’s Environmental Services Department to any school, business, organization or individual considering a project to help protect surface water resources within the Tacoma city limits by preventing stormwater pollution.

The grants aim to prevent pollution and protect clean water through community collaborations focusing on education, protection and restoration efforts. Projects funded by a Make a Splash grant must meet at least one of these goals. Projects focusing on water conservation or clean drinking water will not be considered. Projects could include video, audio, print or other media education efforts; citizen-led pollution prevention outreach efforts; field trips or science day camps; installation of cigarette butt litter cans throughout business districts; demonstrating low-impact development practices to soak in stormwater on site, such as rain gardens or porous pavers; business-related stormwater outreach and education; and multilingual outreach efforts or educational materials. Tie-ins with Puget Sound Starts Here are encouraged. Key messages in that campaign include proper pet waste disposal, natural yard care, preferred car washing methods, fixing leaky vehicles and planting trees.

Application materials must be postmarked or e-mailed by May 20, 2013.

The Make a Splash grant program, funded by the City of Tacoma’s Surface Water Management utility rates, provides up to $50,000 in grants every year.

More information about the grant, past projects, tips, and applications are available online at cityoftacoma.org/makeasplash.