As California’s severe drought worsens, DWR and State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) are taking action to help small and rural communities.

The IRWM Implementation Grant Program provides funding for implementation projects that meet the intent of Proposition 1, Chapter 7.
Approximately $403 million in grant funding is being made available for implementation projects with at least $51 million being made available for projects that provide benefits to Disadvantaged Communities. DWR is awarding grants on a competitive basis in two funding rounds. To apply for grants through this program, project proponents must coordinate through their established IRWM Regional Water Management Group, and the Regional Group must in turn coordinate with other groups within the Proposition 1 IRWM Funding Area.
The final Proposal Solicitation Package, as of the released date May 17, is making approximately $193 million available for awards. Below is a Table showing available funds in Round 2. However, the amount of available funds may change based on the amendments to Round 1 Grant Agreements. This Table will be updated if any of the amounts change.
Table: Available Funds in Round 2
On April 22, 2019, DWR released the Final Proposition 1 - Round 1 IRWM Implementation Grant Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) and Final 2019 Guidelines (Guidelines). This solicitation made approximately $222 million available.
In 2020, DWR awarded $211 million to 42 IRWM Regions in the Round 1 funding for implementation projects including approximately $25 million for disadvantaged community projects.
Tentative Schedule | Milestone or Activity |
---|---|
December 10, 2021 | Draft Proposal Solicitation Package and Guidelines Released |
January - February 2022 | Public Comment Workshop(s) |
February 18, 2022 | Last Day of Public Comment |
May 17, 2022 | Final Proposal Solicitation Package and Guidelines Released |
August 19, 2022 | First Deadline of Applications |
February 1, 2023 | Second Deadline of Applications |
The documents below will provide potential grant applicants with an overview of the program and detailed requirements for this solicitation.
Find general contact information in the directory, or select the button below for IRWM, including regional and grant contacts.
As California’s severe drought worsens, DWR and State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) are taking action to help small and rural communities.
DWR announced $29 million in funding for 44 drought relief projects to improve water supply reliability, address drinking water quality, and support water conservation primarily serving underrepresented and Tribal communities.
DWR has released the Grant Program Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package for approximately $193 million in grant funding to help local agencies advance water infrastructure and resilience projects.
In an effort to boost water supply reliability for millions of Californians, DWR announced its first round of funding to 20 agencies responsible for managing critically overdrafted groundwater basins throughout the state.
Following the driest three-month stretch in the state’s recorded history and with warmer months ahead, DWR announced its seventh round of grant awards for local assistance through the Small Community Drought Relief program.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for non-competitive grants through the Delta Water Quality and Fish Facilities Grant Program.
DWR announced its second phase of funding through the Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant program. The program will provide financial assistance to 62 projects throughout the state to tackle drought impacts on human health and safety, protect fish and wildlife resources, and support other public benefits, such as ecosystem improvements.
With California preparing for a third dry year, DWR announced its sixth round of local assistance through the Small Community Drought Relief program.
DWR announced the opening of the public comment period for the Riverine Stewardship Program: San Joaquin Fish Population Enhancement Program (SJFPEP) & Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP) Grants Draft Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP).
The Bureau of Reclamation, Friant Water Authority, and California Department of Water Resources today celebrated the groundbreaking of a $187 million construction project to restore capacity in a 10-mile portion of the Friant-Kern Canal. The event marks the beginning of Phase 1 of a multi-phased construction project, known as the Friant-Kern Canal ...