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.
With temperatures rising and climate change increasing drought conditions in California, a project funded by DWR provided critical fire-fighting support to the Mariposa community by strengthening local water supply infrastructure as they battled one of the largest wildfires of 2022.
As California faces a hotter, drier future and ongoing extreme drought conditions, DWR is offering $6 million in financial assistance to support desalination projects that will help develop new sources of local water supplies in California.
As part of ongoing efforts to help small communities address water supply challenges amid extreme drought and build water resilience for the future, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced its eighth round of funding through the Small Community Drought Relief Program.
DWR has re-opened the Continuous Application Process (CAP) for the Water Desalination Grant Program and will accept applications on September 1 to desalinate naturally occurring brackish and ocean water for potable water supply.
A year after receiving funding from the Budget Act of 2021, DWR has successfully awarded more than $440 million to date in drought relief assistance to small and urban communities to address water supply challenges and help build local resilience.
DWR is providing critical financial support to four urgent projects in Humboldt, Los Angeles, Modoc, Shasta, and Siskiyou counties through the Small Community Drought Relief Program. In coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, DWR has awarded $2 million in funding to support four identified projects that will improve drought resil ...
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.