Water resources drought response grants

On April 4, 2019, we issued an emergency order declaring drought in three watersheds in Washington. On May 20, we added 24 watersheds, putting about half of the state under a drought declaration. The drought declaration will be effective until April 3, 2020.

Funding cycle

  • Amount of funding available: $2 million
  • Funding allocated:
  • Grant award limit: $350,000
  • Amount of matching funds required: 50 percent of the total cost of the project

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Start date: Jun 4, 2019
End date: Oct 2, 2019

Grants will be awarded on an eligibility basis as funds are available. Grants are not considered open competitive.

Funding is available for the following entities:

Funding is available for the following entities:

To be eligible for funding, one or more of the following must be partially or completely within the area of a drought declaration order by Ecology:

  • The public water system’s service area.

  • The geographic area where irrigated agriculture or livestock are located.

  • The source of water, or the water body, that supplies water to the entity applying for funding.

The reduction in water supply caused by drought must cause, or will cause, undue hardship, as described under WAC 173-167-120.

Cost-share funds of at least 50 percent are required, unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption from this requirement under WAC 173-167-030(3).

More information about this funding program