Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) — Well Decommissioning and Special Projects Pre-Approval
SK, Canada
Funding for decommissioning wells on Saskatchewan farms
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateApril 01, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateMarch 31, 2028
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
- Ministry of Agriculture
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $10,000 to cover 90% of the costs related to well decommissioning including sealing and capping water wells by a registered well driller.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is designed for entities operating within the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada. It aims to support local projects that align with regional agricultural and environmental objectives.
- Entities located in Saskatchewan, Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$9,000
Well decommissioning at a social economy enterprise farm
$9,000
Well decommissioning in a rural farm to ensure safe water supply
$9,000
Decommissioning an unused well in an urban garden
$9,000
Decommissioning a contaminated well in a community center
$9,180
Sealing an unused well at a commercial property
$9,180
Closure of an abandoned well in a cooperative farm
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's profile.
- The applicant must be a primary agricultural producer (individual, partnership, co-operative, or corporation) demonstrating a minimum $50,000 of gross farm income in Saskatchewan in the application year or prior year, and must be at least 18 years old.
- Eligible entities include First Nation Bands, Rural Municipalities, and Crown Land Pasture Grazing Associations in Saskatchewan.
- New entrants not meeting the income threshold must show potential to generate $50,000 in gross farm income by March 2028.
- Projects must have been started, but not completed, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership before March 31, 2023, to be eligible under Sustainable CAP.
- Producers must have a Saskatchewan Premises Identification number if they own, lease, or rent livestock property.
- Small diameter wells must be decommissioned by a registered well driller in Saskatchewan following WSA practices.
- A WSA Well Decommissioning Worksheet must be completed, submitted, and signed by the landowner post-construction.
- Written landowner authorization is needed if decommissioning a well not on applicant-owned land.
- Rural Municipalities need a Council resolution authorizing the project and application.
- For environmentally sensitive areas, project approval is required based on land designations under various provincial and federal acts.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Primary agricultural producers in Saskatchewan, First Nation Bands, Rural Municipalities, and Crown Land Pasture Grazing Associations are eligible to apply. New entrants to agriculture can also apply if they expect to meet the gross farm income criteria by March 2028. The program is open to those with a gross farm income threshold of at least $50,000 in the year of application or the year prior.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain individuals and companies based on their operational status or other predefined criteria. The restrictions ensure that the funds are allocated to primary agricultural producers and related entities in Saskatchewan.
- Individuals or entities not engaged in primary agricultural production.
- Applications from those without demonstrated gross farm income over $50,000 unless qualified as new entrants.
- Entities not located or operational within Saskatchewan.
- Entities without a Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) number, if applicable.
- Projects or expenses initiated before the eligible date of October 1, 2022.
- Expenses incurred for non-approved materials or second-hand items.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports well decommissioning projects aimed at improving public safety and reducing potential groundwater contamination. It provides financial support for various eligible activities to ensure proper and effective decommissioning.
- Excavation and removal of well casing.
- Purchase and use of bentonite and chlorine for well sealing.
- Purchase of gravel or clay from third-party recognized vendors for filling and sealing wells.
- Sealing and capping water wells by a registered well driller.
- Compensation for in-kind labour at a set rate, with limitations.
- Utilization of in-kind machinery/equipment according to established rates.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for the well decommissioning grant under the Sustainable CAP program include specific activities and materials essential for the proper decommissioning of wells.
- Excavation for the removal of well casing.
- Purchase of bentonite and chlorine.
- Purchase of gravel or clay, provided it is acquired from a third-party recognized vendor.
- Costs related to sealing and capping water wells performed by a registered well driller.
- In-kind labour compensated at $22/hour, up to a maximum of $250 per project, specifying that this cannot be claimed if work is invoiced by a contractor.
- Use of in-kind machinery/equipment according to the Farm Machinery Custom Rate and Rental Guide relevant to the class of machinery deployed.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.
- Primary agricultural producers (individual, partnership, co-operative or corporation) must demonstrate a minimum $50,000 of gross farm income in Saskatchewan in the year of application or the year prior to the application.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- First Nation Bands and Rural Municipalities in the Province of Saskatchewan are eligible.
- Crown Land Pasture Grazing Associations in Saskatchewan are eligible.
- Projects must not have started before October 1, 2022.
- Small diameter wells must be decommissioned by a registered well driller in Saskatchewan.
- Large and small diameter wells must be decommissioned following Water Security Agency (WSA) recommended practices.
- Eligibility includes fully decommissioned wells with a post-construction WSA Well Decommissioning Worksheet submitted and signed.
- Projects located on land not owned by the applicant require written authorization from the landowner.
- Environmentally sensitive land projects require specific authorizations and consents.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review Eligibility and Program Criteria
- Assess your project against the program criteria and review the eligibility.
- Step 2: Prepare Necessary Documentation
- Gather all invoices and proof of payments for expenses related to the project.
- Ensure all expenses meet the eligibility requirements.
- Complete the WSA Well Decommissioning Worksheet.
- Step 3: Decommission the Well
- Ensure the well is fully decommissioned before applying.
- Use a registered well driller for small diameter wells and adhere to recommended practices.
- Step 4: Download and Complete Application Forms
- Download the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program Rebate Application Form.
- Fill out the application form with required information.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application package either by email to agprograms@gov.sk.ca or by mail to the provided address:
- Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch, 329 – 3085 Albert Street, Regina SK, S4S 0B1.
- Ensure all submissions are made before March 31, 2028.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) offers opportunities for well decommissioning projects with specific criteria and eligibility requirements. Applicants must ensure proper completion to be eligible for rebates.
- Rebate of 90% of eligible costs up to $10,000 per project.
- No limit on the number of individual well decommissioning projects during the five-year term.
- Projects must be fully completed before issuing rebates; no interim payments.
- Minimum rebate of $250, with a minimum claim amount of $500.
- Eligible applicants include primary agricultural producers, First Nation Bands, Rural Municipalities, and Crown Land Pasture Grazing Associations in Saskatchewan.
- New entrants who meet specific criteria may become eligible.
- Well decommissioning must comply with Water Security Agency (WSA) recommended practices.
- Pre-approval is not required but proper decommissioning is mandatory for funding eligibility.
- Eligible expenses include excavation, bentonite, chlorine, gravel or clay purchased from a third-party vendor, and costs related to well decommissioning by registered well drillers.
- Ineligible expenses include projects starting prior to October 1, 2022, used materials, in-kind materials, taxes, and purchase of land.
- Applications must be submitted before March 31, 2028.
grant_single_labels|contact
agprograms@gov.sk.ca
866-457-2377
Apply to this program
Secure Funding for Well Decommissioning in Saskatchewan
The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) offers financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers, First Nations, and rural municipalities in Saskatchewan for well decommissioning projects. This grant provides a rebate covering up to 90 percent of the costs, emphasizing public safety and environmental preservation.
Comprehensive Details About the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program
The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) is an initiative tailored to meet the increasing demand for safe and sustainable agricultural practices in Saskatchewan. Inaugurated under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the program operates from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028, thereby offering long-term support for projects embarked on during this period. At its core, the program is strategically geared towards promoting public safety and preempting groundwater contamination through the process of well decommissioning. Given the agricultural landscape of Saskatchewan and the critical nature of water management issues, FRWIP emerges as a pivotal measure in supporting sustainable resource utilization among primary agricultural producers.
The program meticulously structures its financial incentives, offering a generous rebate of up to 90 percent of eligible decommissioning costs, capped at $10,000 per project. This financial model not only alleviates the economic burden of such environmental projects but also incentivizes continuous participation given that there is no imposed limit on the number of individual projects a single applicant may engage in within the five-year Sustainable CAP window. This element is particularly beneficial for large-scale agricultural producers or communal entities such as First Nations or rural municipalities, which may oversee extensive land areas requiring multiple well decommissions.
Upon meeting the defined criteria, eligibility extends to a wide array of applicants, including individual farmers, corporations, cooperatives, First Nation Bands, and rural municipalities. The criteria ensure that those applying can demonstrate tangible agricultural activity in Saskatchewan, with a minimum annual gross farm income of $50,000. This approach ensures that the program's benefits are directed towards those actively involved in the province's agricultural operations, thereby maximizing impact and aligning with regional economic activities.
FRWIP does not require pre-approval of projects, allowing applicants to proceed with well decommissioning and subsequently submit rebate claims upon completion. All the expenses must be carefully documented, and full payments are prerequisite for claim submissions. This framework emphasizes accountability and financial sustainability while encouraging best practices in environmental management.
Moreover, the program allows farmers to collaborate with registered well drillers and adhere to Water Security Agency's recommended practices, ensuring that projects are executed according to the established environmental standards. This cross-sector collaboration is pivotal in safeguarding against environmental mishaps and fostering professional auditing and post-project evaluations.
Additionally, particular consideration is given to land designated as environmentally sensitive or habitat critical under existing wildlife protection frameworks. This aspect of the program underscores the province’s commitment to harmonize agriculture with ecological stewardship, necessitating specific approvals for activities on sensitive lands.
The FRWIP thereby encapsulates an intricate balance between immediate financial support and long-term environmental objectives, making it a vital instrument for sustainable agriculture in Saskatchewan. Through this grant, stakeholders are empowered not only with the resources needed for meticulous well decommissioning but also with the knowledge to engage in practices that preserve and enrich Saskatchewan’s natural resources for future generations.
