Water Conservation Grant Fund (Round 2) – United States

Deadline: 30-Jun-23

The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) has launched the Round two of the Water Conservation Grant Fund (WCGF) to promote voluntary water conservation programs or projects that are expected to result in long-term reductions in water use, improvements in water use efficiency, and/or improvements in water reliability.

The WCGF is administered by the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Funding Information

• The initial funding for this grant program equaled $200 million which is available to be obligated to grant projects and programs until June 30, 2024. All projects must be completed by December 31, 2026 (funds completely drawn). Multiple awards will be made.
  • Conservation projects may receive up to $250,000
  • Conservation programs may receive up to $3 Million
  • There is a 25% match requirement for each conservation program or project. Monies from any other source may satisfy the match requirement.

Eligible Projects

Monies in the WCGF may be used for the following:

• Education & research programs on how to reduce water consumption, increase water efficiency or increase water reuse.
• Programs & projects for rainwater harvesting, gray water systems, efficiency upgrades, installing drought-resistant landscaping, turf removal and other practices to reduce water use.
• Programs or projects to promote groundwater recharge and improved aquifer health.
• Programs or projects to improve groundwater conservation and surface water flows.
• Landscape watershed protection, restoration, and rehabilitation, including through green infrastructure and low-impact development to conserve or augment water supplies.
• Projects facilitating coordinated water management, including groundwater storage and recovery.
• Programs or projects to reduce structural water overuse issues.
• Program implementation and administration costs for eligible programs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible entities include cities, towns, counties, districts, commissions, authorities, or other public entities that are organized and exist under the statutory law of Arizona or a voter-approved charter or initiative of Arizona are eligible to apply. Nongovernmental organizations that focus on water conservation or environmental protection may also apply. The organization shall partner with a city, town, county, district, commission, authority, or other public entity that is organized and that exists under the statutory law of Arizona or a voter-approved charter or initiative of Arizona.
• Please note, eligibility for this grant may be amended by currently pending legislation. If passed and signed, SB1390 will expand the list of eligible entities to all “water providers,” which includes Tribal entities and private water companies. They anticipate this legislation may become effective in the middle of this second grant cycle. They encourage potential applicants who may be eligible upon passage of SB1390 to prepare applications for submission in anticipation of their eligibility.
• Collaborations among entities and community partnerships are strongly encouraged, if appropriate.
• All eligible applications will be presented to the Committee for consideration within six months of being received.

Evaluation Criteria

• Conservation activities proposed to be funded in whole or in part with monies from the water conservation grant fund will be evaluated based on the following, as applicable:
  • The costs and benefits of the water conservation program or project, including environmental costs and benefits.
  • The ability to provide multiple benefits.
  • The degree to which the water conservation program or project will maximize or leverage multiple available funding sources, including federal funding.
  • The qualifications and capacity of an applicant.
  • The feasibility of the water conservation program or project.
  • Public comments.

For more information, visit Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA).