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Agricultural Water Optimization Program

Awards for the FY 2023 ARPA Spring application period have been approved!  Click here for a pdf list of approved applications.
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At the Agricultural Water Optimization Program, we work with producers to help them optimize water use while maintaining or improving agriculture production.

Program Information: 

    • General Program Criteria 
      • Projects must be able to demonstrate water savings.
      • Must document the availability of water after implementation of a Water Optimization Project.
      • Projects should improve and protect surface and groundwater quality by reducing overwatering of crops.
      • Basic requirements:
        • 50/50 cost share 
        • 20% of the funding withheld until the project is complete, final report has been approved and the final inspection has documented that the project meets all the program requirements.
        • Real time metering required on all projects.
        • Annual reports on water usage and crop production are required for 3 years after project completion.
        • Maximum $500,000 grant amount.
        • 10% minimum in-kind match
        • Only one application allowed per individual, farming operation or entity per application period.
    • Metering Information and Requirements
      • Meters are required on all funded Water Optimization projects.
      • Metering must be real time monitoring with the capability to record and store data. ○ The most common meters are either ultrasonic or electromagnetic meters.
      • Cloud based and remote meters are acceptable.
      • Water metering reports must be submitted electronically.
      • Real time water metering should occur each time water is diverted. 
    • Find full Program Criteria here
    • Find the Ranking Matrix here

Grant Seeker: 

The current funding application window has now closed. Check back for updates for future funding periods.

Grant Recipient: 

Documents for current funded grantees: 

  • Signed grant agreement 
  • Cultural Resources (SHPO) review 
  • Tax ID or social security number (for individuals) or UEI number (for entities) ● State of Utah vendor number (W9 if necessary) 
  • Attachment A 
  • Attachment C 
  • Any other project specific documents (ie. a project design) 

We are a reimbursement based program. 

  • 80% of the grant funding can be paid once installation has been begun. 
  • 20% of the total funding will be withheld until:
    • The final project report has been submitted and reviewed (see requirements below for final project report requirements);
    • The project is determined to be completed by an onsite inspection by a water optimization planner and
    • All grant requirements have been met

To receive a payment: 

  • Collect all invoices (must be itemized) and take before, during and after construction photos of project progress
    • We can only reimburse a maximum of 50% of itemized invoice amount.
      • Please note that invoices do not need to be paid.
  • Email udaf-wateroptimization@utah.gov to request a virtual or in person appointment to submit a payment request in Amplifund.

Final Report example found here.

FY2022: 

  • Describe whether the project was implemented as planned. 
    • If not, include a list of changes made to the project and how they affected the project’s purpose. 
  • Pictures of the project before, during and after completion of the project. 
  • The project reporting must be written so an auditor or the public can understand the purpose of the project, how the project functions, and its water optimization benefits. 
  • A description of the metering and water savings 

Find the fillable form here.

FY2022 ARPA Spring: 

  • Describe whether the project was implemented as planned.
    • If not, include a list of changes made to the project and how they affected the project’s purpose.
  • Pictures of the project before, during and after the completion of the project.
  • A description of the water made available after implementation of the project and how that water is being used. 
  • A brief description of the metering and water savings. 
  • Estimated Water Quality Load Reductions (STEPL), tons of salt removed, Photo Point Monitoring, or other monitoring, depending on project type. 
  • An itemized reporting of any funds received or expended on the project, including other funding sources and documentation of the 10% grantee cost share. 

*The final project must be written so an auditor or member of the public can understand the purpose of the project, how the project functions and its water optimization benefits. 

Find the fillable form here.

 

FY2022 ARPA Fall: 

  • Describe whether the project was implemented as planned. 
    • If not, include a list of changes made to the project and how they affected the project’s purpose. 
  • Pictures of the project before, during and after the completion of the project. 3. A description of the water made available after implementation of the project and how that water is being used. 
  • A brief description of the metering and water savings. 
  • Estimated Water Quality Load Reductions (STEPL), tons of salt removed, Photo Point Monitoring, or other monitoring, depending on project type. 
  • Photo Point Monitoring, or other monitoring, depending on project type. 
  • An itemized reporting of any funds received or expended on the project, including other funding sources and documentation of the 10% grantee cost share. 

*The final project must be written so an auditor or member of the public can understand the purpose of the project, how the project functions and its water optimization benefits. 

Find the fillable form here.

 

FY 2023 ARPA Spring 

  • A description of the project as found in the application and if the project was implemented as described in the application?
    • If not, the final project report should include a list of changes made to the project, how they affected the project’s purpose, and the grantee must provide documentation that they received approval for the changes. 
  • Pictures of the project site before, during, and after completion of the project.
  • Water Savings: 
    • A description of the water made available after implementation of the project.
    • Documentation that there is not an increase in irrigated acres. 
    • Must include annual acre foot of water used before project implementation. 
    • Acres project covers, feet of installed pipeline, or feet of canal lining. 
  • Water Metering: 
    • A description of the metering and type of meter installed(s). 
    • An image of the water meter(s) installed. 
    • Describe how will be stored and retrieved 
  • Estimated water quality load reductions (EPA PLET/STEPL), tons of salt removed, photo point monitoring, depending on project type. 
  • Budget reporting: 
    • An itemized reporting of any funds received or expended on the project, including other funding sources. 
    • Documentation of the 10% grantee financial contribution (can include in kind work) 

*The final project must be written so an auditor or member of the public can understand the purpose of the project, how the project functions and its water optimization benefits.

FY 2019: 

  • General information including project name, grantee, granny number, location, and project completion date. 
  • Total acre feet of water diverted during the irrigation season. May also include feet or water applied each watering, the number of watering per crop, and the number of waterings per season. 3. Irrigation season (date of first and last irrigation). 
  • Acres irrigated. 
  • Crop(s) irrigated. 
  • Production records: tons per acre, bushel per acre, and/or other depending on crop type.

Find the fillable form here.

FY 2022 

  • General information including project name, grantee, granny number, location, and project completion date. 
  • Total acre feet of water diverted during the irrigation season. May also include feet or water applied each watering, the number of watering per crop, and the number of waterings per season.
  • Irrigation season (date of first and last irrigation). 
  • Acres irrigated. 
  • Crop(s) irrigated. 
  • Production records: tons per acre, bushel per acre, and/or other depending on crop type.

Find the fillable form here.

FY 2022 Spring and Fall 

  • General information including Project name, grantee, granny number, location, and project completion date. 
  • Total acre feet of water diverted during the irrigation season. May also include feet or water applied each watering, the number of watering per crop, and the number of waterings per season.
  • Irrigation season (date of first and last irrigation). 
  • Acres irrigated. 
  • Crop(s) irrigated.. 
  • Production records: tons per acre, bushel per acre, and/or other depending on crop type.
  • STEPL load reduction analysis for on-farm irrigation projects (1st annual report only).
  • Photo point monitoring canal lining or piping projects (1st annual report only). 

Find the fillable form here.

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