Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP): Stream 4 Strategic Projects New!
Funder
Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC
Funder Organization Type
- BC Provincial Government
Regional Limitations
This is a regional program and only supports communities in its service area.
(See the Map)AWP Stream 4: Strategic Projects focuses on supporting strategic and collaborative community projects in areas with high water use conflict, risks to the aquatic ecosystem (e.g., environmental flow needs), existing and potential risks of agricultural water shortage, and/or opportunities to expand water availability through community-led strategic projects. Projects must address known water use conflicts, persistent water scarcity, or agricultural water supply challenges through a combination of new/improved water storage, conveyance, supply systems, or other innovative solutions. Project implementation may involve a hybrid of single-user (i.e., on- or off-farm) and multi-user water infrastructure solutions that support the strategic project goals, aiming to collaboratively resolve water supply challenges or conflicts at the community/watershed level.
Eligible Community
To be considered eligible for this stream, applicants must be BC-based and must be one of the following:
Irrigation District or Improvement District
Local Government or Regional District
Non-Profit Organization – Agriculture (e.g., industry associations)
Non-Profit Organization – Conservation
Water Users’ Community
Indigenous Community
Indigenous Governing Body
Indigenous Organization – For-Profit
Indigenous Organization – Non-Profit
Regional Limitations
Yes (See the Map)Required Community Contribution
Community contribution required (please see program website)
50-25%
Funding Stacking Restrictions
Yes
No activities currently receiving funding from other funding sources (unless otherwise specified)
Application Limit per Community
5
Professional Input Required
No
Other Eligible Applicants
Indigenous OrganizationsNon-governmental Organizations / Not-for-Profits
Type of Funding
- Grant
- Non-repayable Contribution
Range of Funding Available per Project
- Under $100 000
- From $100 000 to $1 000 000
- Over $1 000 000
Description of Funding
Minimum Funding Amount: No minimum
Maximum Funding Amount: The maximum project funding value will be determined after the review and adjudication of the first stage of applications (expressions of interest) by IAF and Ministry staff. At the direction of Ministry, IAF will advise of funding amounts to those invited to complete a full application. Approximately $7.6M in funding is available in Stream 4.
Cost-Shared Ratio: 50-75%
Percentage of Project Funded
50-75% Cost Share
Eligible Costs
EngineeringDesign
Planning
Community Engagement
Capacity Building for the Community
Within AWP Stream 4: Strategic Projects, there are ten eligible activities:1. Rehabilitation and upgrades of (regulated and unregulated) agricultural dams and reservoirs to meet regulatory requirements.2. Improvement, expansion, or new construction of dugouts and related water storage infrastructure for irrigation water and livestock watering, including rangeland.3. New construction of other water storage infrastructure.4. Improvement, expansion, or new construction of off-farm conversion of conveyance ditches to pipelines, where savings of 30 to 50% can be achieved.5. Improvement, expansion, or new construction of water delivery systems to the farm gate from off-farm infrastructure and licensed intakes on streams.6. Extension of an existing water purveyor network to expand water supply to additional agricultural lands.7. Development of new water purveyed systems to agricultural land.8. Installation of meters where a universal agricultural water metering program is being implemented by a water purveyor.9. Improvement or expansion of diking and drainage systems.10. Other (innovative) strategic community or watershed solution to a water supply challenge or conflict that may include a hybrid of single-user or multi-user water infrastructure.
Ineligible Costs
Any costs incurred prior to signing a funding agreementBuilding Purchase Costs
Land Acquisition
The following projects and activities are not eligible for funding or reimbursement in this stream:
- Activities or costs incurred prior to approval (no retroactive approval permitted)
- In-kind activities
- Activities to support non-agricultural water uses
- Activities not directly related to agricultural water uses
- Purchase of farm equipment and related accessories or attachments (including tractors, skid steers, and trailers)
- Activities that are not compliant with federal, provincial, or local/municipal regulations
- Financial compensation for lost income, production, or land or other associated losses due to water shortages, government orders, or other reasons
- Activities to remove land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)
- Purchase of land or easement
- Regular or ongoing operating or maintenance activities
- Training or educational courses
- Financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees, and related charges
- Activities currently receiving funding from other funding sources (unless otherwise specified)
- GST and other taxes/credits reimbursed to the applicant
- Well construction (unless otherwise specified)
- Water quality treatment
- Irrigation systems (new or existing) funded under the Beneficial Management Practices program (BMP 1804)
Reporting Requirements
Progress reports and final reports
Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision
2 months8 weeks then invitation to apply