Agriculture Water Infrastructure

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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Approach

Within Stream 3: Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans, there are eight eligible activities:

  1. Water supply assessments or feasibility studies in key agricultural areas to determine available water supply.
  2. Engineering studies or plans for water purveyors to assess and determine opportunities for upgrades and expansion of existing purveyed water systems.
  3. Dam engineering assessments including redetermination of Consequence Classification.
  4. Dam Emergency Plans.
  5. Dam Safety Reviews.
  6. Other Professional Consultative Services as required under the Dam Safety Regulation (DSR).
  7. Drainage master plans, dike engineering studies or design plans, or any professional consultative services on drainage or dikes to assess and determine opportunities for upgrades or expansion of existing diking and drainage infrastructure.
  8. Facilitation and strategic engagement for communities to support collaborative planning to address agricultural water supply challenges or user conflicts.

More information about Stream 3 Activities is available below.

Activity NumberMinimum Funding AmoutMaximum Funding AmountCost-Shared Ratio
Activity 1-7$20,000$200,00050%
Activity 8No minimum$100,000100%

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

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered eligible for Stream 3, applicants must be BC-based and must be one of the following*:

  • Diking District
  • Indigenous Community
  • Indigenous Cooperative
  • Indigenous Corporation
  • Indigenous Governing Body
  • Indigenous Organization – For-Profit
  • Indigenous Organization – Non-Profit
  • Indigenous Producer – Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  • Indigenous Producer – Partnership
  • Indigenous Producer – Sole Proprietorship
  • Irrigation District or Improvement District
  • Local Government or Regional District
  • Non-Profit Organization – Agriculture
  • Non-Profit Organization – Conservation
  • Producer – Cooperative
  • Producer – Corporation
  • Producer – Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  • Producer – Partnership
  • Producer – Sole proprietorship
  • Water Users’ Community

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

Community water supply groups, including Indigenous groups, that provide a combination of irrigation/drainage/diking services to a mix of agricultural and non-agricultural water users are eligible.

Public corporate bodies incorporated or formed under specific provincial legislations which allow them to legally acquire/hold/control property and licenses and conduct works are also eligible.

*Please Note: Activities may have additional eligibility requirements or restrictions.

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

  • Non-agricultural individuals or groups (including seafood/aquaculture)
  • Provincial and federal governments
  • Crown Corporations
  • Consulting services by Qualified Professionals
  • Construction services
  • 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 on-going 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
  • GST and other taxes/credits reimbursed to applicant
  • Wells
  • Water quality treatment
  • Irrigation systems (new or existing) funded under Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) program, Practice Code 1804

Activities

Activity 1: Water supply assessments of feasibility studies

Water supply assessments of feasibility studies in key agricultural areas to determine available water supply.

In some areas of BC, some streams or aquifers may be fully subscribed for licensing. Identifying streams or aquifers that are not fully subscribed and assessing how much additional water is available may allow increase in water supplied for agriculture.

Some streams, aquifers, or off-stream water storages may be suitable for future storage capacities to support agricultural water use. Identifying potential water storage sources could help alleviate future climate change induced drought.

Environmental flow needs assessments, hydrogeological assessments, or other assessments may be required for water licence applications (whether surface water or groundwater) under the Water Sustainability Act (WSA). These assessments will evaluate, e.g., if the proposed new water use will negatively impact the stream, including water use from a hydraulically connected aquifer. Although completing the assessment does not warrant the issuance of a water licence, use approval, or other permits/approvals, the outcome of the assessment will provide recommendation to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) for adjudication purposes.

Water supply assessments or feasibility studies:

  • Address current water supply risk in a region with significant water supply problems that directly affect the viability of current agricultural operations and where it is very difficult to develop reliable water supply sources.
  • Explore opportunities to provide additional water for agricultural expansion.
  • Formulate long-term water supply solutions for existing and future agricultural operations within the service area of the water supply system.

The required components of the assessments vary depending on individual water licence and approval applications. Please contact FrontCounter BC regional office for specific requirements.

The components of the assessments or studies should include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Consideration of new or improved methodology or technology that:
    • Promotes water use efficiency.
    • Is significant in the development/use of a sustainable water supply, providing long-term solutions/benefits to address the current and/or anticipated water supply risks.
  • Collection, compilation and in-depth hydrological analysis of existing and new water resource information/data as well as identification of water allocation notations and existing licence demand that will help:
    • Assess the severity of the water issues that affect existing agricultural operations;
    • Assess current and viable future water supply sources and their points of diversion;
    • Determine current and future agricultural water demands;
    • Plan future water infrastructure required to support those water demands that are not being met with the current water supply sources; and
    • Determine any land easements as required.
  • A schematic/drawing that identifies:
    • Location of water supply options;
    • Benefited agricultural areas; and
    • Mechanism and infrastructure required to deliver water from water sources to farms.
  • Demonstration of alternate available options and identification of the best possible or most cost-effective long-term solution, using a cost-benefit analysis, that will not only be beneficial today but also remain viable and valuable in the future under climate change scenarios. The options could include, but are not limited to, the realization of new sources or upgrades of conveyance or water infrastructure.
  • Consultation to inform and discuss with key stakeholders the scope of the assessment or feasibility study and potential options for water sources.
  • A detailed plan that includes the technical, regulatory, environmental, financial, construction and project management requirements that would be necessary to execute the development, i.e., future construction.

Activity 2: Engineering studies or plans for water purveyors

Engineering studies or plans for water purveyors to assess and determine opportunities for upgrades and expansion of existing purveyed water systems.

Many purveyed water systems require engineering studies or plans before any efficiency upgrades or expansion can occur.

Many storage systems do not have accurate estimates of how much water is being stored, how much is being used, and when it is being used by different users.

The engineering studies or plans:

  • Enhance the current water supply system to significantly reduce the water supply constraint/risk for current agricultural producers.
  • Formulate long-term water supply solutions that will result in the development, expansion and/or diversification of agricultural operations within the existing purveyed water system.

The components of the engineering studies or plans should include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Collection, compilation and in-depth analysis of existing and future water supply sources, agricultural water demands, and water infrastructure needs.
  • A schematic/drawing showing the location and extent of the proposed upgrade/expansion, current and future benefitted area, and any technical and construction aspects, 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.
  • Demonstration of alternate available options and identification of the best possible or most cost-effective long-term solution, using a cost-benefit analysis, that will not only be beneficial today but also remain viable and valuable in the future under climate change scenarios.
  • Consultation to inform and discuss with key stakeholders the scope of the study or plan for potential upgrade or expansion.
  • A detailed plan that includes the technical, regulatory, environmental, financial, construction and project management requirements that would be necessary to execute the plan (i.e., future construction).

Activity 3: Dam engineering assessments

Dam engineering assessments including redetermination of Consequence Classification

Classification must follow the province’s Estimating Dam Break Downstream Inundation and Downstream Consequence of Failure Classification Interpretation Guideline.

Dams are assessed for their risk consequence rating and may require upgrades to continue use. The cost of the engineering assessment and a design plan are often a financial barrier to producers.

Activity 4: Dam Emergency Plan

Instructions, guides, and templates for preparing a Dam Emergency Plan (DEP) in BC are available in pdf or Microsoft Word. Follow the Dam Emergency Plan Information Sheet, and Emergency Dam Assessment and Immediate Response Action.

Dam emergency plan completion.

Activity 5: Dam Safety Review

Agricultural dam owners could use the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Dam Safety Reviews as a sample to select and reach an agreement with a Qualified Professional (QP) to conduct the required Dam Safety Review (DSR) for their dams.

To be eligible for reimbursement, the Qualified Professional must:

Activity 6: Other Professional Consultative Services as required under the Dam Safety Regulation (DSR)

Other Professional Consultative Services as required under the Dam Safety Regulation (DSR)

Please visit the Dam Safety Technical Resources website or contact the Dam Safety Program staff for details.

May include but are not limited to:

  • Hydraulic, hydrological, seismic, geological or geotechnical analyses.
  • Invasive investigations.
  • Development of an Operations, Maintenance and Surveillance (OMS) manual.

Activity 7: Drainage Master Plans, Dike Engineering Studies or Design Plans

Activity 7 provides funding for community systems to complete  drainage master plans, dike engineering studies or design plans, or any professional consultative services on drainage or dikes to assess and determine opportunities for upgrades or expansion of existing diking and drainage infrastructure.

Please visit the Dike Design and Construction Guidelines website and follow the guidelines which include, but are not limited to, the following:

The provincial dike inspectors may require other professional consultative services or other guidelines to be followed as required under the Dike Maintenance Act or the Drainage, Ditch and Dike Act. Please visit the provincial Dike Management website, and contact the Dike Safety Program staff for details and specific requirements.

The drainage infrastructure should also follow the Agricultural Drainage Criteria to improve regional drainage and hence allow for proper drainage for lowland crops to survive and thrive.

Individual producers are ineligible under Activity 7. Eligible applicants under Activity 7 include:

  • Irrigation District or Improvement District
  • Local Government or Regional District
  • Non-Profit Organization – Agriculture
  • Non-Profit Organization – Conservation
  • Water Users’ Community
  • Indigenous Community
  • Indigenous Governing Body
  • Indigenous Organization – For-Profit
  • Indigenous Organization – Non-Profit

Please note: Diking districts and improvement districts are eligible to apply for diking infrastructure engineering studies or design plans under Stream 3 Activity 7 if the scope supports the understanding of flood hazards and the transfer of diking authority to a local government. The diking districts or improvement districts must demonstrate that the local government has been engaged as part of the project. Please refer to the Diking Authorities for New Dikes Policy for details. This note applies only to diking infrastructure projects proposed by diking districts or improvement districts under Stream 3 Activity 7.

The components of the dike and drainage design plans or engineering studies may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Pre-design study, and summary of past studies and reports
  • Field reconnaissance, geotechnical investigation, topographic survey
  • Analysis of existing infrastructure and improvement options, or new construction
    • Hydraulic modelling of system capacity
    • Design criteria and methodology
    • Environmental issues
    • Structural issues
    • Design report
    • Civil design issues
    • Design aspects of operations and maintenance
    • Construction plans
    • Construction inspection
  • Consultation and approvals
  • Project checklist and implementation plan
  • Cost estimate

Activity 8: Facilitation and strategic engagement for communities

Activity 8 provides funding for:

  • Facilitation or strategic engagement services to support collaborative community agricultural water supply planning.
  • Planning processes that focus on identifying solutions to agricultural water supply challenges resulting from historical or persistent low flow conditions and/or existing or potential conflicts between water users within the community.
  • Projects that support establishing frameworks and/or processes that lead to collaborative dialogue between multiple affected parties within the community, which may include Indigenous communities and a range of agricultural and non-agricultural users.
Documents Required
  • At least two letters of support from collaborators, which may include (but are not limited to): water managers from the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, Indigenous communities, local governments, or local agricultural groups.
  • A description of the parties that will be involved in or invited to participate in the process. Eligible applicants must demonstrate collaboration with other relevant entities in the focus area or watershed as part of their application.
  • A summary of relevant studies or plans completed for the focus area or watershed that will inform the proposed project (e.g., agricultural water supply studies, published reports, engineering studies, etc.), if applicable.
Eligible Activities and Expenditures

May include, but are not limited to:

  • Professional consultative services such as facilitation, project management, strategic planning, conflict resolution, or general assessment of water supply and demand (Note: Activity 8 does not replace Stream 3 Activity 1: Water Supply Assessment or Feasibility Study, which includes detailed technical analysis of water supply and demand.)
  • Evaluation of the potential impacts of planning and regulatory proposals on agricultural water availability
  • Costs directly supporting agricultural water planning and/or engagement activities (e.g., venue rental costs, meals/hosting, transportation, honorariums)
  • Costs for the development of agriculture-focused water planning processes
  • Identification of options and barriers for the implementation of water planning processes or further needs to support agriculture for water use while addressing environmental flow concerns and conflicts between water users.

Individual producers* are ineligible under Activity 8. Eligible applicants under Activity 8 include

  • Irrigation District or Improvement District
  • Local Government or Regional District
  • Non-Profit Organization – Agriculture
  • Non-Profit Organization – Conservation
  • Water Users’ Community
  • Indigenous Community
  • Indigenous Governing Body
  • Indigenous Organization – For-Profit
  • Indigenous Organization – Non-Profit

*Note: If interested applicants are unsure of their eligibility to apply to Activity 8, please contact IAF at awp@iafbc.ca for guidance.

Applying to the Program


Applicants to the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 3 can start their application through the IAF Client Portal on May 30, 2024. Submissions of applications will begin on June 20, 2024, at 9:00 am. Applications will be accepted first-come, first-served on a continual basis until funding is fully committed.

Notice: Applications for Activity 8 will open on July 18th, 2025.

Important Program Dates

May 30, 2024
Applications Open

May 30, 2024
June 20, 2024
Submissions Accepted

June 20, 2024
May 28, 2026
Applications Close

May 28, 2026
Upon approval
Project Start

Upon approval
Maximum of 24 months following the project start date.
Project Completion

Maximum of 24 months following the project start date.

Review and Adjudication

All complete applications to Stream 3 will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served model. Project applications are screened and reviewed by the IAF Team. This review entails:

  • Organization / applicant eligibility check.
  • Ensuring application completeness.
  • A detailed project / budget eligibility check.
  • Confirmation of alignment with program eligibility.

IAF will complete adjudication within eight to twelve weeks of receipt of complete application submission. IAF will return incomplete applications to applicants via the IAF Client Portal for resubmission with missing information/clarifications requested. Please note that the resubmission date & time is the complete application submission date. If any required documentation is not submitted with the initial application, it will be returned to the applicant requesting missing information and will be given an updated position in the queue based on the new timestamp (time of re-submission).

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions via email and the IAF Client Portal. Applications will be considered until all available funding is committed. All decisions regarding application status are final. All applicants will receive a funding decision email from IAF and can view the status of their application on the IAF Client Portal at any time.

Project Length

Projects receiving funding through Stream 3 of the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program can begin upon approval and should be completed within 24 months of approval. Projects may carry over between fiscal years.

Notifications & Obligations

Funding Notifications & Contracts
Changes to Contracted Projects
Funding Details
Funding Acknowledgement
Reporting Requirements

Ready to Apply?

Applications for Stream 3 are closed.

Resources

Stream 3 Program Guide

Download the Stream 3 Program Guide.

Info Session

IAF hosted a webinar about Stream 3. Watch the recording to find out more about eligible participants, activities, funding amounts and more.

Have an Active Project?

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

Funding Ack. Requirements

If you would like to publicly share your project you must acknowledge the government funders. Download the requirements for AWP.

Have a Question?

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

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