Water Program — On-farm water supply

• The applicant must be a primary producer operating in Alberta.
• The applicant must be responsible for input costs or production of agricultural crops or livestock, generating at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities annually.
• The applicant must not be a landlord whose only interest is ownership of land.
• The applicant must be liable to pay Alberta income tax or corporate tax (or claim losses) on income from the production of farm commodities.
• For certain on-farm water supply projects (dugouts, dams, springs), the applicant must consult with an Agriculture and Irrigation Water Specialist and receive an approved Construction Sheet before starting work.

Who is eligible?

• Primary producers operating in Alberta
• Agricultural producers responsible for input costs or agricultural crops for livestock
• Indigenous businesses in the agriculture and food sector

Who is not eligible

• Landlords whose only interest in the crop or livestock is ownership of the land, without direct involvement in agricultural production.

Eligible expenses

• Purchases and upgrades of on-farm irrigation systems (cost-shared up to specified maximums).
• Construction and development costs for dugouts, dams, springs, and related water supply infrastructure, as approved.
• Expenses listed on the On-Farm Irrigation Stream Funding List and the On-Farm Water Supply Stream Funding List, as specified by the program.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies operating in Alberta.

The grant will evaluate applications based on specific eligibility criteria associated with the funding streams, and the selection process will consider the projects' alignment with legislative and program requirements, focusing on eligible activities and budget constraints.

• Eligibility of the applicant as a primary producer operating in Alberta
• Responsibility for input costs or agricultural crops for livestock producing at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities annually
• Ownership of an irrigated agricultural operation in Alberta (for On-Farm Irrigation Stream)
• Liability to pay Alberta income tax or corporate tax on income from farm commodities (for On-Farm Water Supply Stream)
• No previous approval for payment from the program for the same project type for the parcel described in the application
• Approval from an Agriculture and Irrigation Water Specialist for dugouts, dams, and spring developments
• Proof of application for water license (or amendment) from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for some projects
• Compliance with all applicable federal and provincial legislation
• Submission of a completed application form with supporting documents
• Adherence to program funding constraints and eligibility criteria

• Applicants must obtain an approved Construction Sheet from an Agriculture and Irrigation Water Specialist before starting certain projects, such as dugouts, dams, and spring developments.
• Proof of payment and invoicing under the applicant's legal or company name is required for reimbursement.
• Expenses incurred before April 1, 2023, are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Application processing times are currently unspecified; updates may be provided as available.