The Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP) aims to increase adoption of efficient irrigation infrastructure and improve agricultural water supply and management in British Columbia.

Through this program, the Government of BC seeks to see improvements to stream flows, fish populations and an increased and more sustainable food production.

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Overview

Approach

Eligibility

Activities

Applications

Resources

Stream 1 Overview

One of the primary methods to alleviate both spring flooding and summer drought is the construction or enhancement of water storage systems. A well-designed storage system can capture a portion of the peak spring flow for use later in the summer when demand is highest.

Water storage infrastructure will be eligible where there is an indication that the water supply is currently unable to meet agricultural demand, where it is unlikely to meet demand under future climate change conditions, and where upgrades are required for existing infrastructure that is failing.

Approach

Stream Structure

Within Stream 1: Producer Projects, there are five 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 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 storage infrastructure and licensed intakes on streams.

More information about Stream 1 Activities is available below.

Cost-Shared Ratio & Funding Amounts for Stream 1

Minimum Funding Amount Maximum Funding Amount Cost-Shared Ratio
$200,000 $1,000,000 50%

Stacking of funds from other government programs is allowed up to 100% of project costs provided the programs are not delivered by IAF.

What does minimum/maximum funding amount mean?

Your Total Project Cost (not including GST, in-kind activities, or any other ineligible items) must be equal to or exceed $400,000. If your Total Project Costs are greater than $2,000,000 you can still apply but will only be reimbursed a maximum of $1,000,000.

IMPORTANT: If your project does not meet or exceed the minimum funding amount at the time of reporting/payment, the project is at risk of cancellation (i.e. if the final reimbursement amount is $199,999, the project may be cancelled).

What’s a cost-shared ratio?

The cost-shared ratio is the respective share of (eligible) Total Project Costs contributed by the applicant and the funder. In this case, 50% of the eligible costs would be paid by the applicant with the remaining 50% paid by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (via IAF).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants

To be considered eligible for this stream, applicants must be BC-based and an individual producer (i.e., a single farm), including:

  • Producer – Cooperative
  • Producer – Corporation
  • Producer – Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  • Producer – Partnership
  • Producer – Sole proprietorship
  • Indigenous Producer – Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  • Indigenous Producer – Partnership
  • Indigenous Producer – Sole Proprietorship
  • Indigenous Cooperative
  • Indigenous Corporation

Individual producers and Indigenous producers who use water for a mix of agricultural and non-agricultural uses are eligible.

Ineligible Participants

The following applicants are not eligible to participate in this stream:

  • Non-agricultural individuals or groups (including Seafood/Aquaculture)
  • Provincial and federal governments
  • Crown Corporations
  • Local Government or Regional District
  • Irrigation District or Improvement District
  • Diking 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

Ineligible Projects and Activities

The following projects and activities are not eligible for funding or reimbursement in this stream:

  • Used Materials
  • 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)water allo
  • GST and other taxes/credits reimbursed to the applicant
  • Wells
  • Water quality treatment
  • Irrigation systems (new or existing) funded under Beneficial Management Practices Program (BMP 1804)

Activities

In addition to the program requirements, applicants to the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 1: Producer Projects must also meet the following requirements:

  • Have completed any required assessments, engineering studies, or plans (within or outside of IAF-delivered programs) before applying for funding.
  • Meet all technical, environmental, and regulatory standards and/or requirements, as applicable, before completing a full application.
    • g., a water licence has been issued/amended; documentation from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship confirming the proposed work is mandatory or recommended, and an authorization has been provided by the Dam Safety Program for the alteration, improvement, or replacement of a dam; approval from the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).
    • If permits are pending/under review but the application is otherwise complete, IAF will proceed to review the application. However, any approval will be conditional for a maximum of 18 months until all required documentation is received. Conditional offers/approvals will not receive contracts or be able to incur expenses and/or begin activities in their application until their project has met the conditions of approval. Please refer to Review and Adjudication.

Application Requirements

Not all permits need to be in place prior to obtaining a water licence, but all permits must be in place before beginning construction.

Other types of permits or permissions required to install water infrastructure may include, but are not limited to,

  • Permits to cross roads governed by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT), the Ministry of Forests (FOR), or municipal governments
  • Permission to cross utility Right-of-Ways (ROWs)
  • Easements or permission to cross private property
  • Permission to join shared waterworks system
  • BC Hydro permits to run power to pumps
  • Permits/approvals from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)

For questions on the regulatory requirements, please contact FrontCounter BC:

Activity Overview

Rehabilitation and upgrades of (regulated and unregulated) agricultural dams and reservoirs to meet regulatory requirements.

One of the primary methods to alleviate both spring flooding and summer drought is the construction or enhancement of water storage systems. A well-designed storage system can capture a portion of the peak spring flow for use later in the summer when demand is highest.

Water storage infrastructure will be eligible where there is an indication that the water supply is currently unable to meet agricultural demand, where it is unlikely to meet demand under future climate change conditions, and where upgrades are required for existing infrastructure that is failing. For example, dams with deficiencies where the dam owner has not been ordered to make repairs or lower the reservoir.

  • Deficiencies are most often identified by the owners’ consultant. They will often provide recommendations on how to remediate the dams. The Dam Safety Program, in these cases, works with the dam owner on a plan to remediate without issuing an order.
  • An assessment by the Dam Safety Program staff would be legally required before the work begins and when the upgrade is completed.
  • If the size of the storage is increased, an authorization from the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship will be required.

Eligible Activities and Expenditures

  • Construction, materials, machinery/equipment (gates, valves, etc.), and other costs associated with the construction.
  • Pumping systems and watering troughs to keep livestock out of the existing reservoir are recommended and are eligible costs, provided the reservoir is deemed to provide a secure source in periods of extended drought. Fencing, if installed along with a pumping system, is recommended and eligible cost to keep cattle out of the reservoir.
  • Other professional services associated with the project supervision.

Ineligible Activities and Costs

  • Water distribution system
  • Used materials

Regulatory Requirement

  • Water licence for the proposed use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer, stream)
  • Water licence for the proposed storage volume
  • Assessment/approval/authorization from the Dam Safety Program staff of the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship
  • Change approval to make changes in and about a stream (if applicable)
  • Easement (if applicable)

Pre-Construction Requirement

  • Engineering assessment, plan, or other consultative services conducted by Qualified Professionals as required by the Dam Safety Program of the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship (as described in Stream 3, Activity 3 to 6). The plan, as applicable, should include the items listed under eligible costs within this activity.

Activity Overview

Improvement, expansion, or new construction of dugouts and related water storage infrastructure for irrigation water and livestock watering, including rangeland.

  • Producers on low-flow water supplies will often install a dugout to enhance supply by augmenting water supplies during times of shortage.
  • Lining of dugouts to improve water holding capacity.
  • Installation of pumps and watering troughs to improve livestock watering and protect stream health.

Eligible Activities and Expenditures

  • Construction, materials, liner, pump, intake, machinery/equipment (e.g., gates, valves, etc.), and associated fittings and controls
  • Power supply to farm property line as required
  • Solar or wind power supply for remote livestock watering systems
  • Planting of trees and snow fencing to facilitate snow collection and melt
  • Dugout aeration systems (wind or electric compressors)
  • Pumping systems and watering troughs to keep livestock out of the existing dugout are recommended and are eligible costs, provided the dugout is deemed to provide a secure source in periods of extended drought. Fencing, if installed along with a pumping system, is a recommended and eligible cost to keep cattle out of the dugout.
  • Other professional services associated with the project supervision

Ineligible Activities and Costs

  • Water distribution system
  • Used materials
  • Dugouts with design specifications that are legally considered as dams according to the Dam Safety Regulation (DSR)

Regulatory Requirement

  • Water licence for the proposed use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer, stream)
  • Water licence for the proposed storage volume
  • Change approval to make changes in and about a stream (if applicable)
  • Easement (if applicable)

Note: To determine if a water licence is required for a dugout, please refer to Authorization Requirements for Storage and Use of Water in Dugouts.

Pre-Construction Requirement

Please refer to Authorization Requirements for Storage and Use of Water in Dugouts, Guidance on Farm Water Storage, B.C. Agriculture Water Calculator, and B.C. Farm Water Dugouts, or contact the Dam Safety Program staff.

For dugouts and other water storage infrastructure with design specifications that are legally not considered as dams according to the Dam Safety Regulation (DSR): engineering design plan, prepared by a Qualified Professional, that includes, but is not limited to, farm water use requirement, water supply sources and volume, peak flow rate, dugout dimensions (depth, length and width) with berms, regulatory requirements, and the items listed under eligible costs within this activity.

Activity Overview

New construction of other water storage infrastructure.

  • New storage infrastructure will require an authorization from the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship.
  • Water use will need to be licensed for each purpose.
  • New storage infrastructure will require an engineering plan.

Eligible Activities and Expenditures

  • Construction, materials, machinery/equipment (gates, valves, etc.), and other costs associated with the construction
  • Pumping systems and watering troughs to keep livestock out of the existing reservoir are recommended and are eligible costs, provided the reservoir is deemed to provide a secure source in periods of extended drought. Fencing, if installed along with a pumping system, is recommended and eligible cost to keep cattle out of the reservoir.
  • Other professional services associated with the project supervision

Ineligible Activities and Costs

  • Water distribution system
  • Used materials

Regulatory Requirement

  • Water licence for the proposed use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer, stream)
  • Water licence for the proposed storage volume
  • Assessment/approval/authorization from the Dam Safety Program staff of the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship
  • Change approval to make changes in and about a stream (if applicable)
  • Easement (if applicable)

Pre-Construction Requirement

Please refer to Authorization Requirements for Storage and Use of Water in Dugouts, Guidance on Farm Water Storage, B.C. Agriculture Water Calculator, and B.C. Farm Water Dugouts, or contact the Dam Safety Program staff.

  • For water storage infrastructure with design specifications that are legally considered as dams according to the Dam Safety Regulation (DSR): engineering assessment, plan, or other consultative services conducted by Qualified Professionals as required by the Dam Safety Program of the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship (as described in Stream 3 Activity 3 to 6). The plan, as applicable, should include the items listed under eligible costs within this activity.
  • For water storage infrastructure with design specifications that are legally not considered as dams according to the Dam Safety Regulation (DSR), an engineering assessment or plan conducted by Qualified Professionals. The assessment and plan should include, but not be limited to, farm water use requirements, water supply sources and volume, peak flow rate, infrastructure dimensions, regulatory requirements, and the items listed under eligible costs within this activity.

Activity Overview

Improvement, expansion, or new construction of off-farm conversion of conveyance ditches to pipelines, where savings of 30 to 50% can be achieved.

Water demand will increase with climate change, but adding water storage to supplement demand is not always an option. In these cases, the best way to maintain or increase production in water-scarce areas is by using existing water supplies more efficiently to maximize diminishing water supplies and help protect crops from increasingly frequent weather extremes. New delivery systems could also be built to provide better access to water in areas with a sufficient supply. In these cases, anticipated warmer and longer growing seasons could lead to an increase in agricultural production with the funding of additional irrigation infrastructure.

Pipelines reduce conveyance losses and can also provide water to the farm under pressure, thus reducing pumping requirements.

Eligible Activities and Expenditures

  • Materials and construction costs for source development (e.g., surface storage and intake)
  • Mainline distribution system including materials and construction costs (trenching, augering under roads, canals, or watercourses).
  • Electric power line extension, if required for an existing diesel pump or a new pump installation/upgrade, to allow water to be brought from the off-farm water supply source to the farm property line. This may include upgrading from a single-phase to a three-phase connection if the pump upgrade requires three-phase.
  • Other professional services associated with the project supervision.

Ineligible Activities and Costs

  • Membership/share cost for tie-in to an existing pipeline
  • Troughs, tanks, hydrants in the yard, livestock pens, or barns
  • On-farm water distribution systems
  • Backflood irrigation works
  • Used materials

Regulatory Requirement

  • Water licence for the proposed use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer, stream)
  • Water licence for the proposed storage volume (if applicable)
  • Change approval to make changes in and about a stream (if applicable)
  • Easement (if applicable)

Pre-Construction Requirement

Engineering study or design plan by Qualified Professionals to identify technical and construction requirements, e.g., survey of ditch length to be replaced by pipe, diameter of pipeline, location of pumphouse, locations of current and potential service connections, flow measuring devices, river/stream crossings, oil/gas/fibre optics pipeline crossings, and items listed under eligible costs within this activity.

Activity Overview

Improvement, expansion, or new construction of water delivery systems to the farm gate from off-farm storage infrastructure and licensed intakes on streams – including the expansion of water distribution systems.

Eligible Activities and Expenditures

  • Materials and construction costs for source development (e.g., surface storage and intake)
  • Mainline distribution system, including materials and construction costs (trenching, augering under roads, canals, watercourses)
  • Electric power line extension if required for an existing diesel pump or a new pump installation/upgrade, to allow water to be brought from the off-farm water supply source to the farm property line. This may include upgrading from a single-phase to a three-phase connection if the pump upgrade requires three-phase
  • Other professional services associated with the project supervision

Ineligible Activities and Costs

  • Membership/share cost for tie-in to an existing pipeline
  • Troughs, tanks, hydrants in the yard, livestock pens, or barns
  • On-farm water distribution systems
  • Backflood irrigation works
  • Used materials

Regulatory Requirement

  • Water licence for the proposed use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer, stream)
  • Water licence for the proposed storage volume
  • Change approval to make changes in and about a stream (if applicable)
  • Easement (if applicable)

Pre-Construction Requirement

An engineering study or design plan by Qualified Professionals to identify technical and construction requirements, e.g., diameter and length of pipeline, location of pumphouse, locations of current and proposed service connections, flow measuring devices, river/stream crossings, oil/gas/fibre optics pipeline crossings, and the items listed under eligible costs within this activity.

Applications

Important Dates

Applicants to Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 1 can apply through the IAF Client Portal starting on November 18, 2025. Applications will be accepted until December 18, 2025 at 4 PM PST.

  • November 18, 2025: Submit your application starting at 9 AM PST.
  • December 18, 2025: Applications close at 4 PM PST
  • Upon Approval: Project Start
  • 3 years post-approval: Project End (Projects should be completed within 3 years, or before January 15, 2032)
  • January 15, 2032: Projects Complete

Application Process

Applicants can apply through the IAF Client Portal. The application process and required documents are specific to each funding stream. The application process will generally consist of:

If you’ve (and your organization) applied for IAF-delivered funding in the past year (since January 2023) you already have an account and you’re all set! Please ensure your contact details and organization information is up to date.

If you don’t yet have an account, do not wait to start this process – it can take up to two business days to validate your organization!

Creating an account and registering your organization is simple:

  1. Create a personal profile (name and email)
  2. Provide organization information, including:
    • Name
    • Contact details
    • Type of organization
    • BC ID / CRA numbers (or a file number provided and recognized by the provincial government for organizations where BC ID or CRA numbers are not applicable)
    • Primary contact (if this isn’t you)
    • And more

Select Agriculture Water Infrastructure | Stream 1 from the Funding Opportunities section (found on the grey side menu) of the IAF Client Portal and provide:

  • Applicant Type (examples: Producer, Local Government, Indigenous Community, etc.)
  • Project Name
  • Project Summary
  • Proposed Start and End Dates
  • Select the activities you intend to complete.
  • Water problems/issues to be solved and how the project will address them.
  • Project location (latitude and longitude)
  • Performance measurement information
  • Total Project Cost (budget)
  • And more

Applicants will be required to provide copies of relevant documents (e.g., quotes, estimates, permits, licensing, assessment report, study, plan, design drawing, map, photo, letter of support, cost-breakdown, cost-benefit analysis, project schedule, project related correspondence) and/or status and copy of applications for any permits pending supplementary materials in support of their application (e.g., budget, water licence, change approval). These documents can be uploaded through the IAF Client Portal as attachments to the application.

IAF staff are available to answer questions regarding eligible activities, costs, and/or the application process. IAF may also contact applicants for additional information or clarification to assess their application. Applicants can contact awp@iafbc.ca with any questions about the program or to receive support in developing their application or book an appointment.

Applicants are encouraged to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.

Funding applications should be complete at the time of submission (including any required permitting). If any required documentation is not submitted with the application, it will be returned to the applicant requesting missing information, which can slow down funding decision timelines.

Need help with IAF’s Client Portal?

We’ve created a number of tutorials and FAQs about the IAF Client Portal to help you navigate this resource successfully.

Review and Adjudication

Upon receipt of a submitted application, projects are screened by the IAF Team. This review entails:

  • Organization/applicant eligibility check.
  • Initial review of application completeness, including required permits/documents identified for each project activity in this guide.
  • A detailed project/budget eligibility check.
  • Confirmation of alignment with program eligibility.

If permits are pending/under review but the application is otherwise complete, IAF will proceed with adjudication; however, any approval will be conditional until all required documentation is received. Conditional offers/approvals will not receive contracts or be able to incur expenses and/or begin activities in their application until their project has met the conditions of approval.

Upon successful completion of the initial review, projects will be sent to a Technical Review Committee for secondary review and endorsement. This review entails:

  • Secondary review of application completeness and confirmation project meets all technical, environmental, and regulatory standards and/or requirements (as applicable)
  • Technical review of project/budget, including but not limited to
    • Sufficiency of resources/capacity to achieve in the timeframe permitted.
    • Project management and technical/human resources.
    • Highlight technical/permitting considerations needing further review or approval (if applicable).
  • Prioritization, based on the pre-set priorities and evaluation criteria for the application intake as provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, view the prioritization on the program’s website here.

During the review process, if the IAF or Technical Review Committee determines a further technical review is required for the project, then the entire project, or specific components of a project, may undergo additional review. This review is performed by a technical expert/specialist with expertise in the field most applicable to the project in question.  The intent of the review is to:

  • Clarify, confirm, or provide feedback on the proposed activities, methodology, or budget item(s) that may be in question.
  • Address technical, legal, or permitting questions.
  • Validate claims of sector benefit.
  • Confirm/clarify prioritization (if applicable).

Once identified, members of the IAF Team may work in consultation with funding partners to confirm the need for additional review and identify an appropriate specialist to conduct the review.

IAF will work to provide funding decisions within 10-12 weeks of receipt of the completed application submission. Please note, IAF will act promptly to provide funding decisions, but cannot determine how long the Technical Review Committee or subsequent technical reviews will take to complete.

Applicants will be notified by email of funding decisions via the IAF Client Portal. Applications that meet program eligibility requirements will be prioritized based on the pre-set priorities and evaluation criteria for the application intake as provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Find the prioritization criteria on the program’s website here.

Applications that are not successful will not be brought forward for any future application intakes, and should another intake occur, applicants will need to reapply for future consideration. However, upon request, applicants who are not successful in their funding application will be provided information on areas where future applications could be strengthened based on their project scoring and any considerations/suggestions noted in review.

All adjudication decisions are final.

The applicant can view the status of their application on the IAF Client Portal at any time.

All adjudication decisions are final.

Application can view the status of their application on the IAF Client Portal at any time.

Project Length

Projects receiving funding through Stream 1 of the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program can begin as of approval and should be completed within three years of approval or before January 15, 2032 – whichever comes first.  Projects may carry over between fiscal years.

Book a Call

If you have any questions about your application, program eligibility, required documents, etc., IAF encourages you to reach out to awp@iafbc.ca. You can also book a 10-minute appointment (completed by phone) with an IAF staff member between November 19 and December 18. Prior to booking an appointment, you must start your draft application and provide the ID number (similar to AWP-202425-0####). This gives you and the IAF staff member a specific application to reference and provide support for within the 10-minute timeframe. Applicants are limited to one booked appointment at this time.

Have a Question?

If you have any questions about your application, program eligibility, required documents, etc., IAF encourages you to reach out to awp@iafbc.ca or give us a call at 250-940-6150.

Information Session

IAF hosted a webinar about Stream 1. Watch the recording to find out more about eligible participants, activities, funding amounts and more.

Some information may have changed, in case of discrepancy, please use current website. 

Notifications & Obligations

Funding Notifications & Contracts

If the project is approved, IAF will inform the applicant of the details of the decision and any associated terms and conditions via email and the IAF Client Portal. The applicant then agrees with IAF, which outlines the obligations of each party.

Funding is application and project-specific and must be used for the approved project and related expenses. Funds are non-transferable.

Project activities requiring financial resources cannot commence until the contribution agreement has been signed by both the applicant and IAF.

Projects receiving funding through Stream 1: Producer Projects of the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program can begin upon approval and must be completed within three years or before January 15, 2032, whichever is first. Projects may carry over between fiscal years.

Funding limits are set per stream per project. Applicants can apply to multiple streams; however, they will need to apply for each stream separately. They can have more than one Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (2024-2032) project in any stream underway at once if their projects have no prerequisite requirements (e.g., if a Stream 3 project is not a prerequisite of a Stream 1 project because they are unrelated, the applicant can have a Stream 3 project and a Stream 1 project underway concurrently). There is no lifetime maximum funding limit per applicant; however, IAF may make discretionary funding decisions based on factors such as the ability of an applicant to complete multiple projects within the program timeframe.

If the project is not approved, the applicant will receive a written response from IAF via email and the IAF Client Portal.

Funding Acknowledgement

This program is funded by the Government of BC; as such acknowledgement of funding is required when publicly communicating about a project and/or funding. To ensure appropriate acknowledgement, all communications and marketing materials, including public announcements or social media posts, must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team. Materials can be submitted via the IAF Client Portal.

Funding Details

An initial payment (up to 50%) may be made by IAF upon signing of a contribution agreement or submission of the first progress report; however, IAF may reduce this advance based on project/applicant risk. Interim and final payments will not be initiated by IAF until reporting requirements are satisfactorily met by the client. These requirements may include one or more progress reports or a single final report at the end of a project, based on the amount of funding approved, length of project, and project complexity/risk.

Interim and final payments will be made based on actual expenses reported, and payments will be made in arrears. All projects will require a final report, and a minimum of 20% of approved funding will be retained by IAF, pending submission of final reporting.

Changes to Contracted Projects

If you are not able to complete your project according to the approved workplan, please inform the IAF Team as soon as possible using the IAF Client Portal.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must complete a final report and audit (if applicable) before receiving final payment from the program and may be required to submit interim activity and financial reporting. All required reports must be filled out and submitted via the IAF Client Portal to be considered for funding reimbursement. Reports must be submitted on time and with all required information. Please retain all invoices and receipts; you may be asked to submit some or all receipts/invoices following a review of your report(s) by the IAF Team. Expenses will be reimbursed based on audited receipts, the financial report, and the approved project budget. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.

Prioritization

Considerations for Evaluation

  • Is the applicant aware of the regulatory requirements for the project other than water permits or dam safety authorizations?
    • Not all permits need to be in place prior to obtaining a water permit, but all permits must be in place before beginning construction.
    • Other types of permits or permissions required to install water infrastructure may include, but are not limited to:
      • Permits to cross roads governed by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), the Ministry of Forests (MoF), or municipal governments.
      • Permission to cross utility Right-of-Ways (ROWs).
      • Easements or permission to cross private property.
      • Permission to join a shared waterworks system.
      • BC Hydro permits to run power to pumps.
      • Permits/approvals from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
    • For questions on regulatory requirements, please contact FrontCounter BC.
  • What is the severity of water constraint or risk for the watershed that serves as the main supply source for the project?
  • Is the project located in a region or watershed where it is possible to develop additional or alternate water supply sources?
    • Assessment of this criteria will include a review of water allocation notations. Water allocation notations provide an indication of the potential lack of water availability on a source and are used to inform statutory decisions on water allocations.
    • For more information regarding water allocation notifications and the potential to develop water supply source(s), please refer to the Water Allocation Notations and Registered Water Allocation Notations documents provided by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.
    • Please contact FrontCounter BC if you have any questions.

FrontCounter BC
Phone: 1-877-855-3222
Email: FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca
Video Conferencing
Find a FrontCounter BC Regional Office

Considerations for Evaluation

  • How significantly will the project improve water use efficiency and storage?
  • How significantly does the project benefit agricultural production in the area?
  • Does the project promote the development or use of a sustainable water supply with long, medium, or short-term solutions?

Considerations for Evaluation

  • Does the approach address water issues based on professional standards?
  • Is the project plan provided comprehensive, and does it clearly demonstrate the scientific rationale, merits, impacts of the approach to the project, and mitigation measures?
  • Is the conclusion reasonable and does it make sense?
  • Are the outcomes reasonable based on the approach taken?

Ready to Apply?

Applications open: November 18, 2025

Applications close: December 18, 2025 at 4 PM PST

Resources

FAQ

Your organization must register through the IAF Client Portal to apply to IAF programs. Please note, if you have not already registered this process can take up to 2 business days and must be completed before the application deadline.

Please provide the status of the permit and any supporting documentation at the time of application. All recipients are required to comply with all necessary laws and regulations.

Applications for funding should be complete at the time of submission (including any required permitting). If any required documentation is not submitted with the application, it will be returned to the applicant requesting missing information.

If permits are pending/under review but the application is otherwise complete, IAF will proceed to consider and adjudicate the application. However, any approval will be conditional until all required documentation is received. Conditional offers/approvals will not receive contracts, be included in funding commitments, or be able to incur expenses and/or begin activities in their application until their project has met the conditions of approval and are subject to funding remaining available in the program.

AWP does not have a list of Qualified professionals. Due to the wide range of professionals that may be applicable to the many different types of projects that are eligible under this program, it’s best to verify with the professional you are working with to confirm whether they are qualified to do the work.

Eligible participants are encouraged to visit professional association websites to search for Qualified Professionals who can provide professional consultative services specific to the needs of the proposed projects. For example, the Irrigation Industry Association of British Columbia (IIABC), the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC), and British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA).

Please note: It is the professional ethics and responsibility of Qualified Professionals to make judgements in determining if their area of expertise (or area of practice) is best suited to contribute to the project.

Stakeholder consultation is not required to access AWP funding; however, it may be required by the province as part of water permitting processes where regulatory requirements must be met to be eligible for funding considerations.

Stakeholder consultation is an eligible cost under Stream 3: Activity 1 for water supply assessments or feasibility studies if necessary for the proposed project.

In addition, applicants to Stream 4 must provide a description of the parties that will be involved in or invited to participate in the project. Eligible applicants must demonstrate collaboration with other relevant entities in the focus area or watershed as part of their application, if applicable. If further community or strategic engagement is needed to secure project support, applicants should include these activities as part of their Expression of Interest. At least two letters of support from collaborators or interested groups, which may include (but are not limited to): regional water teams from the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, Indigenous communities, industry associations, local governments, or local agricultural groups.

Wells, including new construction and/or upgrades of well infrastructure are ineligible costs under the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program except for Stream 4 – Activity 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. Activity 10 may include new well construction and upgrades or repairs of existing wells with written support from the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship as a community/watershed solution

Testing of wells for water quantity and quality to determine potential use of water for agricultural purposes may be eligible under Stream 3 if it is a component of an eligible project. 

Retroactive costs will not be considered. All projects must receive IAF approval before starting activities or incurring any project costs. Project start dates are as of approval, and all projects must be complete by January 15, 2032.

Applicants will be notified through email via the IAF Client Portal upon application submission. Please check your junk or spam folders and save this email to your contacts: do-not-reply.grants@fluxx.io.

Your application’s status can also be seen within the IAF Client Portal. On the grey side menu locate ‘applications’. Underneath this header is ‘submitted applications’. If you have successfully submitted your application it will appear here.

To be a considered a producer under AWP, the farm or ranch operation must be in British Columbia and have valid “Farm Class” land as designated by the BC Assessment Authority or be a First Nations agricultural operation with designated authority to use the land.

Please note that due to the nature of AWP projects, some water storage/conveyance may take place off-farm.

The participant/organization requesting funding must complete the application, but IAF recognizes sometimes applicants require assistance from third parties. If you are working with a third party, such as a contractor, consultant, neighbour, friend, or others, please contact awp@iafbc.ca in advance for guidance specific to your scenario.

IAF provides payments by EFT (direct deposit). To get your EFT information set up to ensure timely delivery of your payment(s), please follow the directions provided here to update your client portal.

Applicants can apply to multiple funding streams; however, they will need to apply for each stream separately.  

As of July 18, 2025, applicants can have more than one Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (2024-2032) project in any stream underway at once if their projects have no pre-requisite requirements (e.g., if a Stream 3 project is not a pre-requisite of a Stream 1 project because they are unrelated, the applicant can have a Stream 3 project and a Stream 1 project underway concurrently).  

There is no lifetime maximum funding limit per applicant; however, IAF may make discretionary funding decisions based on factors, such as the ability of an applicant to complete multiple projects within the program timeframe. 

For Stream 1, applicants may receive a minimum of $200,000 in funding, or a maximum of $1,000,000 in funding.

Considering the cost share ratio, this means your total project costs (not including GST, in-kind activities, or any other ineligible items) must equal to or exceed $400,000. If your total project costs are greater than $2,000,000 you can still apply but will only be reimbursed a maximum of $1,000,000.

IMPORTANT: If your project does not meet or exceed the minimum funding amount at the time of reporting/payment, the project is at risk of cancellation (i.e. if the final reimbursement amount is $199,999, the project may be cancelled).

The cost-shared ratio is the respective share of (eligible) total project costs contributed by the applicant and the funder. In this case, 50% of the eligible costs would be paid by the applicant with the remaining 50% paid by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (via IAF).

Projects should be complete within 3 years of the project start date. All projects must be complete by January 15, 2032.

Applicants can view this map to determine which watershed serves as the main water supply source for their project, and its priority tier.

Open the map and navigate to your project location. If the area your project is in is highlighted, select the highlighted area. The side panel will provide the watershed name and the prioritization tier. If your farm is located in a non-highlighted area, you would be ‘Tier 4’ and would enter ‘OTHER’ into the application instead of a watershed name.

  • Tier 1 is red, and includes watersheds where Temporary Protection Orders have been issued
  • Tier 2 is yellow and includes watersheds where Temporary Protection Orders have been contemplated
  • Tier 3 is pink and includes watersheds on the regional ‘Stream Watch’ lists
  • Tier 4 is for all other watersheds not listed in Tier 1, 2 or 3. Tier 4 watersheds are not highlighted on the map.

Applicants cannot edit a submitted application in the portal but are encouraged to contact IAF if this comes up.

IAF provides payments by EFT (direct deposit). To get your EFT information set up to ensure timely delivery of your payment(s), please follow the directions provided here to update your client portal.

No, AWP Stream 1 is intended for large-scale water storage projects, such as dams or reservoirs, with a minimum funding amount of $ 200,000 and a 50% cost share.

If you are interested in on-farm water infrastructure funding, please visit the Beneficial Management Practices Program’s Water Infrastructure category.

Program Guide

Download the Program Guide.

Have a Question?

Contact the IAF Team

Funding Acknowledgement Requirements

Download the Funding Acknowledgement Requirements.

Have an Active Project?

Please visit the program’s Project Resource Hub for more information.

Funding provided by:

CAP Logo, Province of BC Logo, Government of Canada Logo

Please note: the Government of BC may, from time to time, give instructions to IAF in relation to the delivery and administration of this program. IAF must and will comply with those instructions.