Water Management

Water Management, a Growing Forward initiative to facilitate effective risk management.

Program Description

The purpose of the Water Management program is to provide technical assistance and incentive for the creation of a Long Term Water Management Plan at the farm level. This program provides financial assistance for producers towards specified improvements identified in this plan to support water security.

Program Eligibility

The Water Management program is targeted at active producers in the province of Alberta. Any active producer with a minimum of $10,000 farm commodity production per year is eligible to apply under the program. To be eligible to obtain funding under Growing Forward, producers need to develop a Long Term Water Management Plan for their farm and provide it to ARD where it can be reviewed and approved by an ARD Water Specialist.

Available Funding

Program payment will be based on 1/3 of eligible project costs to a maximum of $5,000 per eligible producer. This limit applies to the total payment eligibility for all applications filed under Growing Forward during the four years.
Special Incentives at 50/50 cost sharing for certain items in support of improved water management or protection are also available.
Grant Application Forms will be considered for approval on a first come first served basis due to Program funding constraints. Grant payments will be determined on first approved, first paid basis. Submission of a completed Grant Application Form to ARD does not guarantee that the Applicant will receive payment under this Program.
Projects to be constructed on crown land are not eligible under this program.

See Growing Forward Water Management Program Terms and Conditions

How to Apply

Application under the Growing Forward Water Management Program (2009-2013) consists of two phases:

First, producers complete a Long Term Water Management Plan (LTWMP) which must be reviewed by an Agriculture and Rural Development Water Specialist. Upon the approval of your LTWMP, they can then provide you an LTWMP approval letter and information package which will contain a Grant Application Form.
Second, producers who have completed their project(s) or incurred significant eligible costs towards the completion of their project(s) can submit the Grant Application Form to the Growing Forward – Program Delivery Branch.

A Long Term Water Management Plan must be completed by the producer and approved by an ARD Water Specialist PRIOR to undertaking any activity in order for the activity to be eligible under the Growing Forward Water Management Program.

HOWEVER, January 1, 2009 until March 31, 2010 is being considered a transition period. As such, projects completed during this period may be eligible even if the activity occurred prior to the approval of an LTWMP. An approved LTWMP and Environmental Checklist are still required. Please contact your local ARD Water Specialist to discuss your options as soon as possible or proceeding any further on your water project. Call the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276) if you need to be referred to an ARD Water Specialist.

Long Term Water Management Plan (LTWMP) Process:

A LTWMP will help to ensure that your farming operation has a sustainable water source(s) to meet the present and future water supply and water quality needs.

Required elements to include in your LTWMP are:

A map of the farm unit identifying the current water sources and water infrastructure developed or potentially impacted by the applicant.
An estimate of the annual volumes of water required by the current or peak uses expected within 4 years.
An estimate of the volumes of water that can be supplied by currently developed sources.
The volume difference between annual supply and demand (shortfall).
The proposed improvement(s) to reduce water shortage risk caused by quantity or quality concerns.
The priority of the proposed improvement to meet the quantity and/or quality required.

ARD has developed a LTWMP template that will capture this information and is included here. Most pages included are directions or useful information. However, please ensure that you complete pages 2, 3 and 4 (make extra copies of these as needed). At a minimum, a complete LTWMP consists of the:

Map.
Calculation Worksheet.
Recording Worksheet.

Producers who require assistance in completing a LTWMP can contact the Ag-Info Center at 310-FARM (3276) who will direct them appropriate support person.

Your completed LTWMP should be submitted to:

Growing Forward - Program Delivery Branch
201, 7000 113 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Fax: (780)427-5921

The Growing Forward – Program Delivery Branch will check the submitted LTWMP to ensure it has the three required pages and will contact the person indicated on them if pages missing.

The LTWMP will then be forwarded to an ARD Water Specialist for a technical review. The Water Specialist may contact the submitter if they have questions regarding the LTWMP or to recommend improvements to the plan.

Once the Water Specialist approves the LTWMP, they will provide them with a letter confirming their approval along with a package of information for their review which could include:

Copy of the approved LTWMP.
Grant Application Form.
Environmental Checklist
Growing Forward Water Management Program Terms and Conditions
Growing Forward Water Management Program Fact Sheet

Review the Environmental Checklist right away and contact Water Specialist or act on it depending on its results. This must be completed, signed and submitted along with your Grant Application form. If the project you seek a grant for does not meet the requirements identified in this checklist your grant application may not be successful. Obtain the necessary approvals and permits required for your project(s) prior to beginning your project.

Producers can then proceed with the project(s) that were identified in their LTWMP.

Grant Application Process:

Upon the completion of the project(s) or after producers have incurred a significant number of eligible expenses, complete the Grant Application Form and supporting documents and attach the appropriate invoices.

The completed Grant Application Form and supporting documents should be submitted to:

Growing Forward - Program Delivery Branch
201, 7000 113 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Fax: (780)427-5921

Once the Grant Application Form has been submitted, the Growing Forward – Program Delivery Branch will review your Grant Application for completeness and eligibility.

Grant Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. There are limited funds available for this program and producers are encouraged to submit their completed Grant Application as soon as possible. Submitting a complete Grant Application Form and required documents will reduce delays in the eligibility review and processing.