Water Resources drought response grants

This funding opportunity opened April 8, 2026. Read the Drought Emergency Grant Funding Guidance to learn if you are eligible and what is needed in a viable application.

Ecology issued a Drought Emergency Declaration on April 8, 2026. The state Executive Water Emergency Committee determined that the statutory criteria for drought conditions in Chapter 43.83B RCW, "water supply is less than 75 percent of normal, resulting in undue hardships to water users and the environment" were met statewide. Under SHB 1138, Emergency Drought Response, funding became available to alleviate immediate conditions from this drought. The adopted emergency drought funding rule, Chapter 173-167 WAC, will remain in effect until Dec. 5, 2026.

Ecology may extend the emergency rule based on evolving drought conditions. If the emergency rule is extended, we will revise the grant guidance to reflect the extended date for submitting an application.

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Funding cycle

Amount of funding available: Up to $3 million
Grant award limit: A project cannot exceed more than 25% of total funds available.
Amount of matching funds required: Cost-share funds of at least 50% are required, unless the applicant is a public water system that serves an economically disadvantaged community.

Applications are currently being accepted.

Start date: Apr 8, 2026

End date: Dec 5, 2026

The application period will remain open while the drought declaration and an emergency rule are in effect. Applications are available via Ecology’s Administration of Grants and Loans system (EAGL).

Funding is available for the following entities:

Public entities included in the current drought emergency declaration:

County or city governmental agencies
Federally-recognized Tribes
Public utility districts, formed under Chapter 54.04 RCW
Water and sewer districts, formed under Chapter 57.02 RCW
Conservation districts, formed under Chapter 89.08 RCW
Irrigation districts, formed under Chapter 87.03 RCW
Port districts, formed under Chapter 53.04 RCW
Watershed management partnerships, formed under RCW 39.34.200

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.

More information about this funding program

Funding program guidance

The funding guidance is intended to help applicants prepare a viable application. Other resources for applicants or potential applicants:

Valid April 8, 2026 - Aug. 7, 2026:

Contact information

Caroline Mellor
Statewide Drought Lead
caroline .mellor@ecy.wa.gov
360-628-4666

Shanyese Trujillo
Contract & Grant Planner, EAGL Application Questions
shanyese.trujillo@ecy.wa.gov
360-628-2451