Water Infrastructure BMPs
The Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) category Water Infrastructure provides funding for activities such as improved irrigation system management and irrigation scheduling (1802), irrigation systems – new and existing (1804), water meters, backflow prevention devices, or other flow-measuring devices (1808), and dugouts – new and existing (0904).
To learn more about the BMP program, other BMP categories, program eligibility criteria, and/or notifications & obligations, please visit the BMP page.
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Category Details
| Activity Type | Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Infrastructure Activities | 50% | Up to $70,000 | 140 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever comes first. |
Applications Open: February 25, 2026
Submissions Open: March 18, 2026, at 9 am
Applications Close: March 18, 2026, at 4 pm
Water Infrastructure Prioritization and Requirements
Water Storage
For 2026/27 water storage activities are prioritized for funding within the Water Infrastructure category. IAF will review and adjudicate eligible applications for codes 0903, 0904, and 0905 (water storage activities) prior to reviewing and adjudicating the remaining Water Infrastructure activities. If you plan to apply to more than one Water Infrastructure activity and they are not all equally prioritized, please submit two applications. Example: Application 1 – code 0903 and 0905; Application 2 – code 1804. This two-application process is required because an application must be approved in it’s whole, not just portions. If you do not complete separate applications IAF will remove the non-prioritized activities in order to proceed to approval, and you will have to reapply for other activities – losing your placement in the first-come, first-served queue.
Pending available funding, IAF will adjudicate the remaining non-water storage Water Infrastructure category activities. If funding has been fully committed, a waitlist will be established, should funding become available later in the fiscal year.
Water Licence
For 2026/27, if an activity requires a water licence, producers with approved water licences will be prioritized ahead of those with pending licences. For activities with a water licence requirement, proof of water licence (or licence application) is required at time of application; producers that have not applied for a water licence at the time of BMP application are ineligible and will be declined.
Producers are encouraged to submit applications for Water Infrastructure activities requiring a water licence even if the appropriate water licence has not yet been issued (i.e. you have applied for a licence, but it has not yet been approved). These include licences for Existing Use Groundwater (EUGW), new groundwater and new surface water, and amendments of current water licences. Pending available funds, applications will be held for consideration until either a water licence is issued or September 1, 2026, whichever comes first.
Water Infrastructure Activity Details
For some activities, a plan, technical assessment or engineered design is required. You can independently attain the required plan/assessment/design or check for funding opportunities via BMP: Planning, Technical Assessments and Engineered Designs (P&D) category. The prerequisite must be completed prior to applying for the activity below. To learn more about the requirements for professionals to complete a plan/assessment/design and/or to find a qualified professional, visit our Qualified Professionals page.
Existing wells that are deemed at risk from contamination during the farm’s initial Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) assessment. Work must be completed in accordance with the Water Sustainability Act and Groundwater Protection Regulation. Work must be completed by appropriately qualified and registered persons (see sections 14-17 of the Groundwater Protection Regulation)
Required documents:
- Photo evidence of before and after conditions must be provided with application and project reporting
- Proof of water licence for the proposed use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer) must be provided
- Project budget, project quotes, and map (showing well location on property)
Eligible costs:
- Earthwork at well-head or runoff diversion
- Installation of pit-less adaptor
- Upgrading or maintenance of well head or well casing, fittings, seals, waterproof caps and connections to prevent seepage
- Installation of backflow prevention devices
- Flow control for artesian wells and backflow prevention
- Casing extensions to elevate wellhead
- Raising of electrical components above 1:200-year flood levels
Ineligible costs:
- New well construction
New construction, rehabilitation or upgrade of existing agricultural (regulated and unregulated¹) dams and reservoirs² for farm water use.
Required documents:
- Photo evidence of before and after conditions must be provided with application and project reporting.
- Engineering or technical design or assessment – water/riparian (BMP: P&D activity code 1102)
- Proof of water licence for the proposed storage and use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer, stream) must be provided prior to construction and water use and verified by the qualified professional completing the technical design.
- Authorization of the proposed work from the Dam Safety Program staff
- B.C. Dam Safety Regulation must be followed (may be exempt for minor/unregulated dams).
- If applicable, approval to make changes in and about a stream
- If applicable, easement
Eligible costs:
- 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 an eligible cost to keep cattle out of the reservoir. These systems will protect the water quality (stream health) and livestock and sustain the supply.
- Other professional services associated with the project supervision
Ineligible costs:
- Water used for non-agricultural purposes
- Used materials
- Water distribution system
- Assessments and technical plans (these can be funded via the Planning, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs category)
¹Dams exempt from the B.C. Dam Safety Regulation are generally defined as less than 7.5 metres high and capable of storing 10,000 cubic metres or less of water. Please refer to the Dam Safety Technical Resources or contact the Dam Safety Program staff for technical advice on dams and reservoirs.
²Reservoirs in this category refer to those filled using a water source other than harvested rainwater (i.e., stream, groundwater, overland flow).
Improvement, expansion or new construction of dugouts and storage facilities for irrigation water and livestock watering, including rangeland.
Required documents:
- Photo evidence of before and after conditions must be provided with application and project reporting.
- Water Management Plan meeting the standard set by Water Management Plan (BMP: P&D activity code 2902)
- Water/Riparian engineered or technical design/assessment meeting the standard set by Engineering or Technical Design or Assessment – Water/Riparian (BMP: P&D activity code 1102) OR a completed Dugout Planning Checklist
- If the dugout is regulated under the Dam Safety Regulation you must submit an Engineering or Technical Design or Assessment – Water/Riparian (BMP: P&D activity code 1102)
- If the dugout is not regulated under the Dam Safety Regulation you are able to choose to submit either an an Engineering or Technical Design or Assessment – Water/Riparian (BMP: P&D activity code 1102) OR a completed Dugout Planning Checklist (including all required attachments identified therein) to fulfill the prerequisite.
- Note: A technical design may still be required by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) to support a water licence application for dugout water storage purposes. The Dugout Planning Checklist does not replace any technical designs required by WLRS.
- For further information on determining which document to include please refer to:
- Proof of water licence for the proposed storage and/or use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer, stream) must be provided prior to construction and water use, as applicable. A record of confirmation from FCBC or WLRS that a licence is not required for the dugout must be provided, if that is the case.
To determine if a licence is required for a dugout, please refer to the Authorization Requirements for Storage and Use of Water in Dugouts.
Eligible costs:
- Construction, materials, liner, pump, intake, machinery/equipment (e.g., gates, valves, etc.) and associated fittings and controls
- Power supply to the farm property line as required
- Solar or wind power supply for remote livestock watering or irrigation 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 recommended and eligible cost to keep cattle out of the dugout. These systems will protect the water quality (stream health) and livestock and sustain the supply.
- Other professional services associated with the project supervision
Ineligible costs:
- Water used for non-agricultural purposes
- Water distribution system
- Used materials
- Dugouts with design specifications that are legally considered as dams according to the B.C. Dam Safety Regulation (DSR)
Resources: Dugout Planning Checklist, Dugout Calculator, BC Agriculture Water Calculator, Guidance on Farm Water Storage, British Columbia Farm Water Dugouts, Authorization Requirement for Storage and Use of Water In Dugouts, and Dam Safety Program Staff
Capture system for the collection of rainwater or snowmelt water for farm water use. Can fund the installation of a new system or the rehabilitation/upgrade of an existing system.
Required documents:
- Photo evidence of before and after conditions must be provided with claim.
- If the system includes the use of licensable water (e.g., surface water or groundwater), proof of a water licence as approved by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) for the proposed storage and/or use (e.g., irrigation) of the water source (i.e., aquifer, stream) must be provided prior to construction and water use.
- A water licence is not required for storage and use of harvested water alone.
Eligible costs:
- Machinery cost
- Above-ground and below-ground storage structures (excluding dugouts, ponds, and reservoirs funded under other categories)
- Construction materials, including foundation pad, tanks, pump, collection pipes, filters, liners, valves, and plumbing to the point of final distribution
Ineligible costs:
- Water used for domestic commercial or industrial use
- Used equipment
- Any portion of the system used to collect wastewater or reclaimed water from the water treatment system
- Water distribution system
Can fund the installation of a new system or an improvement to an existing system.
Required documents:
- Irrigation System Assessment or Design (BMP: P&D activity code 2901)
- Except for weather stations not combined with an automation of an irrigation system
Eligible costs:
- Controllers, electric valves and low voltage wiring to valves when identified as part of an improved irrigation system management project.
- Irrigation scheduling equipment such as soil moisture sensors and moisture meters when combined with an automation of an irrigation system.
- Purchase costs of equipment and labour to install systems or improvement to systems.
- Weather station with a data transmission unit using cellular, internet or satellite. Station must be connected to a website or web network as approved by BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The stations must be located in an area of the farm that is not directly impacted by farm operations (e.g., stations cannot be located where irrigation water may interfere with the rain sensor).
Ineligible costs:
- Used materials or equipment
- Repair and maintenance costs
Installation of new irrigation system or upgrade/replacement of an existing system with a minimum of 15% improvement in water use efficiency as recommended by an irrigation system assessment and/or design.
Required documents:
- Photo evidence of before and after conditions must be provided with application and project reporting
- Irrigation System Assessment or Design (BMP: P&D activity code 2901)
- Proof of water licence for the proposed use as verified by qualified professionals completing the Irrigation System Assessments and/or Design
- If applicable, change approval to make changes in and about a stream.
- Irrigation System Assessment and Irrigation System Design are required for producers who wish to replace or upgrade their existing systems.
- Irrigation System Design is only required for producers who wish to install a new irrigation system for a crop that has not been irrigated previously but is intended to be (Irrigation System Assessment is not required in this case).
- Both Irrigation System Assessment and Design must be completed by a Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) through the Irrigation Industry Association of BC (IIABC). The BMP program does not recognize CIDs from other provinces or countries (e.g., CIDs from the Irrigation Association in the United States).
Eligible costs for new systems:
- An Irrigation System Design requires selecting equipment with performance, including best water use efficiency possible that matches the crop, soil and weather conditions and terms and conditions of current water licence (for example, wheel-line or center pivot irrigation systems for forage crops, drip for horticultural crops).
- The new irrigation system must be identified in the irrigation system design and must indicate how and what level of irrigation water use efficiency will be achieved for the entire irrigation system.
- The Irrigation System Design must also include recommendations on system operations, management, and maintenance, and if additional water supply or licences/amendments are required to meet crop needs.
Eligible costs for existing systems:
- An Irrigation System Assessment must evaluate system performance to ensure that the system is operated to match the crop, soil and weather conditions, the system is operated within the terms and conditions of current water licences, and the design aligns with industry standards established by the IIABC.
- The irrigation system assessment must indicate how, and to what level, the irrigation water use efficiency will be increased by the project (minimum 15% improvement) and if additional water supply or licences/amendments are required to meet crop needs. More specifically, by the time the project report is submitted the following data is required:
- Pre-project (baseline) and post-project energy source
- Pre-project (baseline) and post-project annual energy consumption (in kWh)
- Estimated annual reduction of fossil fuel consumption (in kWh, if applicable)
- Eligible items for system upgrades (if identified in plan) include, but are not limited to, replacement of nozzles, gaskets, sprinklers, suction screen, intake pipes, and mainlines.
Ineligible costs:
- Used irrigation systems
- Electrical systems
- Fencing
- Sprinkler irrigation systems for horticultural crops
This project code can be used for a new piped system, replacing a ditched system with a piped system, or improving an existing piped system.
Required documents:
- Water Management Plan – (BMP P&D activity code 2902)
- Proof of water licence for the proposed use as verified by qualified professionals completing the Water Management Plan.
- If applicable, change approval to make changes in and about a stream.
Purchase and installation of new or replacement meters, backflow prevention devices, or other flow measuring devices. Please refer to the BC Water and Waste Association for details on cross-connection control.
Eligible costs:
- Materials costs
- Labour costs for installation
- Valves
- Piping through hookup
Ineligible costs:
- Used equipment
Projects must reduce nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural operations by prevention or suppression.
Required documents:
- Water Management Plan (BMP P&D activity code 2902)
Eligible costs:
- Installation of new sub-surface drainage tile systems.
- Additions to existing sub-surface drainage tile systems.
- Cleaning or repair of existing subsurface drainage systems and associated on-farm surface drainage channels.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must have:
- A valid Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)
- Applicants applying for the Extreme Weather Preparedness category and associated plans and designs are not required to have an EFP.
- EFPs are valid if they are less than 5 years old and reflect the current farm or ranch operation.
- Please renew your EFP if it is more than 5 years old, or if there have been changes made to the farm/ranch that could have impact on environmental risk.
- Farm Status. Be a primary production agriculture business whose primary purpose is the production and sale of agricultural products and must be a BC registered business entity (including sole proprietor, partnership, corporations, cooperatives, Indigenous economic development corporations, and band-owned businesses).
- Premises ID, if livestock and/or poultry is raised.
- GST and CRA business number. Participants must be a taxable entity (e.g., individual, corporation, or trust), limited partnership, commune, cooperative with GST & business number, or First Nation Band.
- Main farmstead locatedin BC and file farm income tax (form T2042 or T1273) under the Income Tax Act in BC.
- Licensed Aquaculture producers, vertical farm producers, and Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp producers are exempt from meeting farm tax income requirements, however:
- Aquaculture operations will have to provide their valid aquaculture license number.
- Vertical farm producers must provide documentation demonstrating their farm businesses have achieved the minimum Farm Class Status Equivalent annual gross revenues for the sale of ‘agricultural products’ in the year prior to their application.
- Cannabis or Hemp producers must provide proof of either their standard-cultivators, or industrial hemp license as issued by Health Canada under the Cannabis Act or Industrial Hemp Regulations. The personal production of medicinal cannabis is not eligible for this program.
- Licensed Aquaculture producers, vertical farm producers, and Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp producers are exempt from meeting farm tax income requirements, however:
- Complete the prerequisite activity(s), if required.
- Some BMP activities require assessments, plans, or engineered designs that must be completed prior. Proof of completion must be submitted at the time of application.
- Concurrent planning/design projects and on-farm equipment/infrastructure projects may be allowed in some cases where projects are not dependent on the final plan or design for the equipment/infrastructure activity or may be waived at the discretion of IAF on a case-by-case basis.
- Some BMP activities require assessments, plans, or engineered designs that must be completed prior. Proof of completion must be submitted at the time of application.
Important Details
- Project activities should not commence prior to approval of the application; retroactive costs are not eligible.
- A per-farm lifetime funding cap of $100,000 has been established for the duration of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) period, which runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. This cap applies across all BMP categories unless otherwise specified.
- A portion of BMP Program funding is provided by CleanBC and is reserved for select activities that demonstrate a significant and measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or an increase in carbon sequestration. These eligible activities (or practice codes) are marked with a 🌱symbol. If funding is limited, projects eligible for CleanBC funding may be prioritized over projects that are not.
- Applicants can only apply for each BMP activity (i.e., Practice Code) once per fiscal year. Example: Applicants may not apply to install a new irrigation system (Practice Code 1804) twice in one year.
- Stacking funds from other government programs is permitted so long as the funding received from all government sources does not exceed 100% of project costs.
- IAF has the authority to deny an application if there is evidence of misrepresentation of pertinent information.
- The program policy sets a percentage maximum amount of government funds that can be used towards the total project costs. For the Sustainable CAP, this has been set at 100% of the total eligible costs of the BMP Project.
- In-Kind costs are eligible in specific circumstances.
Ineligible Activities and Expenses
Unless specified in a BMP Practice Code, the following costs are ineligible:
- GST
- Fertilizer, seed, and crop protection products
- Fees for permits, approvals, or legal activities
- Typical farm equipment and related accessories or attachments (including tractors, skid steers, and trailers)
- Costs of ongoing activities
- Maintenance or repair costs
- Financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees
- Maintenance or extended warranties on equipment, electronics, or technology purchases
- New building construction, including sheds, barns, or storage (for products or by-products), unless specified under a BMP activity.
- Expenses incurred before approval or expenses after the project completion date, unless consent is received from the program.
- Monthly or annual subscription fees (e.g., satellite, cellular, or internet uplinks for data transmission) or monthly or annual rental fees for equipment (e.g., orchard heaters)
- Costs associated with removing and disposing of old equipment (e.g., renting a crane to remove a decommissioned wind machine)
- In-kind costs for the Planning, Technical Assessments and Engineered Designs category or the Extreme Weather Preparedness category.
Applying to the Program
We encourage you to submit a completed application(s) as soon as possible. Applying is not a guarantee of funding.
Notification of application closure will be provided in the BMP Newsletter and posted to this webpage.
Applications will be reviewed and adjudicated on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds are fully committed.
Funding decisions will be provided within 8 weeks of a complete application submission.
Important Program Dates
Applications Open
Submissions Accepted
Applications Close
Project Start
Project Completion
Accessing the IAF Client Portal
To apply to the program, you must first create an IAF Client Portal account and register your organization by navigating to the IAF Client Portal and selecting “Create an account now.”
If you have previously applied to an IAF-delivered program you can skip this step – you’re already registered!
Sign Up & Register
To apply to the program, you must first create an IAF Client Portal account and register your organization by navigating to the IAF Client Portal and selecting “Create an account now.”
If you have previously applied to an IAF-delivered program you can skip this step – you’re already registered!
Starting your BMP Application
To find the application navigate to the ‘Opportunities‘ tab in the IAF Client Portal and select the BMP category you’d like to apply to.
Resources
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.
Funding for these programs have been provided by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5 billion, 5-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Additional funding has been provided by CleanBC. The program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF).