Open
Source verified July 10, 2026
Water Program — On-farm water supply
Improves farm water management for primary producers
Funding available
$ 500 - $ 40,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened April 3, 2023
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
The Water Program supports primary producers through the On-Farm Irrigation Stream and On-Farm Water Supply Stream, with funding at 50% for some eligible expenses and maximums of $35,000 per applicant per fiscal year for irrigation and $40,000 per applicant for water supply. Eligible activities include irrigation system purchases and upgrades, wells, dugouts, and spring developments.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 40,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- $ 25,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- On-Farm Irrigation Stream projects, including system purchases and system upgrades such as sprinkler nozzles, pump modifications, control panel upgrades, variable-rate irrigation equipment, and new systems that replace older, less-efficient ones.
- Wells, dugouts, spring developments, dams, cisterns, unshared water pipelines, and tie-ins to a multi-user water supply pipeline.
- Water source for crop irrigation and off-source watering systems.
- Well decommissioning, well pit conversions, and wetland assessments.
Documents Needed
- Water Program Application form.
- Supporting documents for the selected stream, including a detailed map or exact GPS coordinates, project details, paid receipts and/or invoices, and applicable landowner approval.
- Applicable water approval and/or licence documentation from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, if required.
- Construction Sheet or Spring Development - Construction Sheet with completed As Constructed information, where required.
- Photos showing dugout protection and off-source water system installation, or overall project construction, where required.
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Primary producers.
- Indigenous applicants may be approved under the On-Farm Irrigation Stream even if they do not meet the standard requirements.
Who is not eligible
- Landlords whose only interest in the crop, bee or livestock operation is ownership of the land.
Eligible expenses
- New well construction, including drilling, well casing, and one new pump per well.
- Electroseismology tests for well siting, 2hr pump/2hr recovery tests with drawdown and recovery measurements, routine potable water quality tests, and chlorination or disinfection of a new or reconstructed well.
- Exclusion fencing installed as part of a new or reconstructed well in a pasture with a new off-source watering system.
- Connection of a new or reconstructed well to one water appliance or the existing farm site system, including trenching, piping, electrical wiring, distribution lines, pumps, pressure tanks, and related materials.
- In-kind costs for producer-owned excavation work, based on industry standard rental rates.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities, equipment, or projects conducted or purchased before April 1, 2023.
- Repair or maintenance of existing equipment, including routine maintenance such as shock chlorination, cleaning, or other treatments on existing wells.
- Costs for irrigation expansion, used on-farm irrigation equipment, or equipment that has already received payment under the Program.
- Replacement pumps, water witching, extended well monitoring, consultant fees, groundwater studies, and post-construction hydrologist or hydrogeologist studies.
- Roads, rural electrification costs, natural gas service installation, back-up power sources and generators, portable fence panels, and labor costs for producers doing their own work.
How to apply
- Check your eligibility by reviewing the Water Program Terms and Conditions.
- Confirm that the proposed activities are eligible in the On-Farm Irrigation Stream Funding List or the On-Farm Water Supply Stream Funding List.
- Complete and sign the Water Program Application form.
- Submit the completed Application Form and supporting documents by email or mail.
Processing and Agreement
- If you email your application, you will be notified by email that your application has been received; if you do not receive confirmation, contact the program by telephone.
- If you mail or fax your application, you will be notified by telephone or email that your application has been received.
- If your application is missing information, you will be notified by email or telephone and asked to submit the missing information.
- Application processing is underway, but an estimated timeline for approval is not currently available.
- If the Minister approves an application, the Minister will notify the Applicant before paying the grant.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Water Program — On-farm water supply Program
What is the Water Program — On-farm water supply?
The Water Program supports primary producers through the On-Farm Irrigation Stream and On-Farm Water Supply Stream, with funding at 50% for some eligible expenses and maximums of $35,000 per applicant per fiscal year for irrigation and $40,000 per applicant for water supply. Eligible activities include irrigation system purchases and upgrades, wells, dugouts, and spring developments.
How much funding can be received?
Water Program — On-farm water supply Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $40,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Water Program — On-farm water supply program?
To be eligible for the Water Program — On-farm water supply program, you must:
The applicant must be a Primary Producer.
On-Farm Irrigation Stream applicants must be responsible for input costs for a crop, bee, or livestock operation producing at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities annually.
On-Farm Water Supply Stream applicants must be responsible for input costs for agricultural crops or livestock producing at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities annually and be liable to pay Alberta income tax or corporate tax on that income.
What expenses are eligible under Water Program — On-farm water supply?
On-Farm Irrigation Stream projects, including system purchases and system upgrades such as sprinkler nozzles, pump modifications, control panel upgrades, variable-rate irrigation equipment, and new systems that replace older, less-efficient ones.
Wells, dugouts, spring developments, dams, cisterns, unshared water pipelines, and tie-ins to a multi-user water supply pipeline.
Water source for crop irrigation and off-source watering systems.
Well decommissioning, well pit conversions, and wetland assessments.
Who can I contact for more information about the Water Program — On-farm water supply?
You can contact Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) by email at farmwatersupply@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 403-742-7901.
Where is the Water Program — On-farm water supply available?
The Water Program — On-farm water supply program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Water Program — On-farm water supply a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Water Program — On-farm water supply is a Grant and Funding