Agricultural Water Management Fund

• Individuals or corporations registered in Saskatchewan who own, lease or rent property for agricultural production purposes
• First Nations in Saskatchewan
• Saskatchewan rural municipalities (RMs)
• Conservation & development area authorities (C&Ds)
• Watershed association boards (WAs)
• Irrigation districts

Cost-shared financial assistance will be provided by WSA at 50 per cent government contribution and 50 per cent applicant contribution for all streams except for Mediation Services Support. Financial Assistance for Mediation Services Support will provided by WSA at 100 per cent government contribution. Maximum grant amounts are:

• $25,000 for On-Farm Qualified Persons and Mediation Services Support combined
• $50,000 for Technical Design Solutions Support
• $50,000 for Mitigation and Rehabilitation Support

For an overall maximum grant amount of $95,000.

For successful projects, applicants will work with WSA to develop the terms of the agreement and finalize eligible expenses.

The On Farm Qualified Persons stream will be a rebate and applications solely for this stream will be accepted from April 1, 2025 to January 31, 2025. Only costs incurred from April 1, 2025 through to February 15, 2026 will be eligible under the 2025-26 program.

The remaining streams will need preapproval and intake for the 2025-26 program will run from April 1 to April 30. These applications will be scored based on the eligibility criteria described above and all applicants will receive a funding decision within four weeks from the intake deadline. Applications received after April 30 will be wait-listed until funding allocation is known. Only costs incurred from April 1, 2025, through February 15, 2026, will be eligible under the 2025-26 program.

All rental rates for contract equipment or unit prices must not exceed rates that have been adopted by WSA and/or the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.

What costs are not eligible for this program?
Costs not eligible include:

• in kind materials
• GST
• PST
• ISC Fees
• application fees
• channel clearing and ditch maintenance (these may be eligible for funding through the WSA Channel Clearing and Drainage Maintenance Rebate Program).

This stream offers support for Qualified Persons (QPs) for targeted drainage projects, including the basic technical, communication, project development and project management components of QP work. QPs are individuals recognized by WSA who are either designated professionals (such as Professional Engineers, Agrologists or Technologists) or are accredited by WSA as people who are trained and capable of carrying out specific tasks for the drainage approval process based on a combination of education, experience and certification.

Cost share for this stream is at 50 per cent government contribution for eligible program costs. Maximum grant amounts for this stream is $25,000, combined with Stream 2: Mediation Services Support.
This stream does not require pre-approval and intake will occur from April 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026.

Eligible On-Farm Qualified Person Services Support applications must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant has engaged with a QP and has estimated the cost for the scope of work.
2. The project has a WSA approved network boundary and requires a QP to complete all or some of the following activities: basic technical components; communication; project development; and project management.
3. The applicant has a direct interest in the drainage network*. This may include, but is not limited to, a landowner registered on land title within the network and lands within a C&D.
   *Drainage networks: As part of drainage networks, farmers and ranchers will work together in their local region to move water to the point of adequate outlet. A drainage network is WSA’s approach to considering the water management systems that have already been created and includes all natural and constructed surface and/or tile drainage works. Networks create efficiencies for both WSA and landowners in the design and administration of their projects.
4. The applicant can demonstrate that the proposed scope of work can be completed within the timelines and payment schedule of this program.
5. The applicant can demonstrate a sufficient level of local support to ensure project success. For example, this may include an established C&D, involvement of a rural municipality or when there are a significant number of landowners who support the project.

PLEASE NOTE: For all funding streams, the applicant is responsible for ensuring they have all other relevant approvals, licences or authorizations required under municipal, provincial and/or federal legislation.

What are eligible activities for On-Farm Qualified Persons funding stream?
Eligible activities may include:

• producer visits;
• stakeholder engagement and group meetings;
• application development;
• parcel plan preparation/review;
• surveys;
• supervision;
• project design;
• technical analysis;
• signature collection; and
• collection of apportioned costs including ISC fees for registration

This stream offers support for mediation services for engaging a mediator who specializes in conflict resolution to support landowners in coming to an agreement on projects.
Cost share for this stream is at 100 per cent government contribution for eligible program costs. Maximum grant amounts for this stream is $25,000, combined with Stream 1: On-Farm Qualified Persons Support
This stream does not require pre-approval and intake will occur from April 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026.

Eligible Mediation Services Support applications must meet the following criteria:
1. The applicant is willing to engage with a credited mediator. Credited mediators can be found here.
2. All affected parties are willing to proceed with the mediation services with the goal of having a written agreement by the end of the mediation services.

PLEASE NOTE: For all funding streams, the applicant is responsible for ensuring they have all other relevant approvals, licences or authorizations required under municipal, provincial and/or federal legislation.

This stream offers support for eligible technical and engineering costs to design solutions for complex drainage projects, including the intermediate technical and engineering design components of QP work.
Cost share for this stream is at 50 per cent government contribution for eligible program costs. Maximum grant amounts for this stream is $50,000.

This stream requires pre-approval. Intake for this stream will be from April 1- April 30, 2025. Any applications received after April 30, 2025 will be wait-listed until budget projections are known.
Eligible Technical Design Support applications must meet the following criteria:

1. The project has a WSA approved network boundary and requires a QP to complete all or some of the following activities: basic technical components; communication; project development; and project management.

2. The applicant has engaged with a QP (who has the appropriate scope of work) to complete the technical and design work required. The QP has provided an estimated cost for the scope of work.

3. The applicant (see list of eligibility above) has a direct interest in the network. This may include, but is not limited to, a landowner registered on land title within the network, and lands within a C&D.

4. The applicant can demonstrate that the proposed scope of work can be completed within the timelines and payment schedule of this program.

5. The applicant can demonstrate a sufficient level of local support to ensure project success. For example, this may include an established C&D, involvement of a rural municipality, or when there are a significant number of landowners who support the project.

6. The project requires the design of mitigation works, such as flow controls or drop structures, to meet the drainage project requirements for approval. It may also include the design of a monitoring plan to ensure the project performs as expected.

7. The project has an appropriate description of the required technical and design support for construction or monitoring plan required, including a cost estimate.

PLEASE NOTE: For all funding streams, the applicant is responsible for ensuring they have all other relevant approvals, licences or authorizations required under municipal, provincial and/or federal legislation.

What are eligible and ineligible activities for Technical Solutions funding stream?
Eligible activities may include:

• engineering small dams
• erosion mitigation design
• drop structures
• road engineering to support roads as flow controls
• channelization design and mitigation plans
• hydrology studies
• LiDAR acquisition, if required for approval of this project
• species at risk support
• archeological professionals support
• flow control design

Ineligible activities may include:

• tile drainage purchase and installation if it is not a part of a rehabilitation support project
• ditch construction
• general through culvert installation
• small dams

What mitigation works are eligible for technical design or construction?
Eligible mitigation works include:

• Flow controls
• Small dams
• Ditch construction
• Erosion control projects, including:
  • Rock armouring
  • Erosion control matting
  • Geotextiles
  • Drop structures

This stream offers support for eligible construction costs for complex solutions to advance drainage projects and associated mitigation and rehabilitation works. Photos of the site before and after the construction occurs are required.

Cost share for this stream is at 50 per cent government contribution for eligible program costs. Maximum grant amounts for this stream is $50,000.

This stream requires pre-approval. Intake for this stream will be from April 1- April 30, 2025. Any applications received after April 30, 2025 will be wait-listed until budget projections are known.

Eligible Mitigation and Rehabilitation Construction Support applications must meet the following criteria:

1. The project has an approval issued pursuant to The Water Security Act and Regulations. In certain circumstances, funding may be allocated to projects that are nearing completion of the approval.

2. The applicant has engaged with a professional or individual who has the appropriate expertise and scope of practice to construct the required mitigation works. This individual has provided an estimate of cost for the scope of work.

3. The applicant (see list of eligibility above) has a direct interest in the network. This may include, but is not limited to, a landowner registered on land title within the network, and lands within a C&D.

4. The applicant can demonstrate that the proposed scope of work can be completed within the timelines and payment schedule of this program.

5. The project requires the construction and/or monitoring plan of the designed mitigation works to meet the drainage project design or conditions of approval.

6. The project has a WSA-approved plan for the construction of the required mitigation works, a project plan and estimated costs.

7. Photos must be taken of the project area before any work is done and after the work is completed. These photos should be a clear representation of the overall project area and the scope of the project work. However, a photo showing each aspect of the area and work completed is not necessary. Photos showing the project area before the work is initiated should be submitted with the application.

PLEASE NOTE: For all funding streams, the applicant is responsible for ensuring they have all other relevant approvals, licences or authorizations required under municipal, provincial and/or federal legislation.

What are eligible activities for the Mitigation and Rehabilitation Construction Support funding stream?
Eligible activities may include:

• construction of mitigation works (equipment and labour)
• professional support for construction activities e.g., PEng project supervision/technical support
• purchase of materials such as gates, flow controls, drop structure materials, erosion control supplies
• specialists on site such as an environmental monitor

What mitigation works are eligible for technical design or construction?
Eligible mitigation works include:

• Flow controls
• Small dams
• Ditch construction
• Erosion control projects, including:
  • Rock armouring
  • Erosion control matting
  • Geotextiles
  • Drop structures

Step 1
Determine if your project is eligible. If you have questions about eligibility or assistance with your project, please contact WSA at AWMFund@wsask.ca or 866.727.5420.

Step 2
Ensure your project has a WSA validated drainage network delineated, a provincial drainage number (E5 number) and you have engaged with a QP or qualified professional to provide a plan and budget for the scope of work proposed. If you do not have these, please contact WSA for assistance.

Step 3
Complete and submit the Agriculture Water Management Fund application form (Appendix A), along with all required supporting documentation to AWMFund@wsask.ca. If you require assistance, please contact a WSA Agricultural Water Management Technologist in your region for support.

Step 4
If your project meets all eligible requirements, work with your WSA representative to finalize a contribution agreement to support your project. If applying solely for the On Farm Qualified Person stream, submit your application with the required supporting documentation.

What changes have been made to the program for the 2025-26 program year?
1. 1. Photos of the site before the work begins and after the work is completed are required for the Mitigation and Rehabilitation Construction Support stream.

2. Tile drainage projects may be considered for rehabilitation support projects when there is clear rationale identifying how this is an improvement of the existing works.

3. The On Farm Qualified Person Support and Mediation Services Support streams no longer requires pre-approval if their project meet the program criteria.

4. There will now be one intake period for applications for the streams of Technical Design Solutions Support and Mitigation and Rehabilitation Support pre-approval that is open for one month. Intake will open on April 1, 2025 and will close on April 30, 2025.

5. The pre-approved projects in these streams will be contacted in August 2025 to report on the project progress.

If my project is not completed in this program year, can I apply for components of the project?
Yes! WSA encourages a phased approach to a large project, which will allow WSA to fund completed components of projects within the timelines of this program. During the application phase, please discuss the expected timeline with your Approvals Technologist to develop a reasonable target for completion by February 15, 2026, to ensure payment by March 31, 2026. For projects not completed within this fiscal year, you will need to reapply for funding for the next fiscal.

If I am unable to complete my project, should I let WSA know?
Yes! If WSA is made aware of that if all or parts of the project is unable to be completed this program year by September 1, 2025, your project may receive a higher priority for consideration during the next program year.

What is a drainage network?
Drainage networks are the interconnected systems of ditches and wetlands that empty into a point of adequate outlet. The network approach allows landowners to apply for one drainage approval together in a joint application. Approving drainage at the network level allows WSA to accommodate future climate conditions and it ensures we are assessing the risk of drainage projects to reduce the impact of drainage to water quantity, water quality and habitat. Each drainage network is assigned a provincial drainage number.

What do I do if I don’t have a Provincial Drainage Number?
Contact WSA at 866.727.5420 to request an Approvals Technologist.

What do I do if I have not yet engaged with a QP?
WSA has a list of Qualified Persons listed on wsask.ca.

• The QP list is located on the right side under Related Documents.

What should I provide to demonstrate that my project has a significant level of local support?
You can have the involved parties sign a letter of support and provide it with your application (refer to Appendix B under Application Form)

What is the required technical design support?
Projects requiring professional design support will likely require a professional services contract to be developed. These contracts require a terms of reference document, which describes the scope of the project, schedule and the deliverables by the consultant to the client.

For example, if the consultant is designing a drop structure to control erosion, the technical description should include the location of the structure (quarter section or maps), the approximate size, length and drop of the structure, the number of acres draining through the structure and potential materials to be used such as rock or corrugated steel pipe. The terms of reference should also describe how the structure will achieve the desired outcome of controlling erosion.

WSA can assist your QP to develop the terms of reference.

During the application process, you must declare if the project is receiving funding from other government sources.

How does this program co-ordinate with the Channel Clearing and Drainage Maintenance Funding Program?
This program is meant to provide funding to projects that are not eligible for the Channel Clearing and Drainage Maintenance funding program.