The Patrick-Murray Administration announced today that nearly $929,000 in grant funding has been approved to assist 11 communities with water conservation, demand management and other projects that will help to mitigate the ecological impacts of water withdrawals.

The grants are part of the Sustainable Water Management Initiative (SWMI), which is an effort by the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and its agencies to maintain healthy rivers and streams and improve degraded water resources over time.

"Protecting our fresh water supports economic development in our cities and towns and preserves our natural resources for the next generation," said Gov. Deval Patrick in a statement.

"Communities need to balance the need for drinking water with the ecological health of the water body from which they draw their water," said EEA Secretary Rick Sullivan in a statement. "These grants will help these 11 water suppliers determine the best way for them to conserve their water resources, but in a way that will complement any future economic development needs."

This first round of capital funding grants has been approved for the following communities: Amherst, Brockton, Dedham-Westwood Water District, Franklin, Halifax, Hopkinton, Kingston, Medway, Pembroke, Scituate, and Worcester.