By Shiela Miller, AAg, Agriculture Programs Specialist, Weyburn
March 2026
in a grassy field under a bright, partly cloudy sky.
The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, is a rebate program that provides producers a 50 per cent cost share on eligible expenses to a maximum rebate of $75,000 for the development of dugouts, wells and pipelines for agricultural use. Before beginning any water development projects, producers should ensure all regulatory requirements are met.
Depending on your project location and type of project being developed, some permits and approvals may be required. If all required approvals are not obtained for the project, it may deem a project ineligible. Below are permits or approvals that may be required before any work begins:
Wildlife Habitat Protection Act (WHPA)
This Act ensures the management, conservation and protection of wildlife and wildlife lands on certain Crown lands. Any Crown lease land designated under WHPA requires approval from the Ministry of Environment prior to proceeding with a water development project.
Crown Conservation Easement (CCE)
Any private land with a CCE registered on title require approval from the Ministry of Environment prior to proceeding with a development project.
Critical Habitat (CH)
Falls under The Species at Risk Act. This helps to protect provincially threatened and endangered species and their habitats from risks to their survival associated with human activity.
Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit (AHPP)
An AHPP ensures aquatic habitat is maintained and protected from impacts that may occur from development in or near a bed, bank or boundary of water. If your project is being developed in or near a water source, this permit is required from the Water Security Agency prior to beginning your project.
Groundwater and/or Surface Water Approval
A Water Rights Licence and Approval to Construct and Operate Works from Water Security Agency is required where annual water usage exceeds 5,000 m3 (1.1 million gallons) or for any project developed by an applicant that does not qualify for the domestic use exemption (i.e., Hutterite colonies and Crown land pasture associations).
Municipal Approval
Written approval from the rural municipality is required if a pipeline project will be crossing any road allowances.
Ministry of Highways Approval
Any pipeline projects crossing highways requires approval from the Ministry of Highways before beginning the project.
Authorization to Construct
Written authorization from landowner will be needed if your water development project is on rented land. For projects on Crown land, you will need to obtain authorization to construct from your Ministry of Agriculture Lands Branch representative.
Your regional agriculture programs specialist can assist you by pre-screening your project for any approvals that may be needed, as well as answering any questions you have around submitting your application once your project is completed and operational. To learn more about the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program or get assistance in pre-screening your future water development project, contact your regional agriculture programs specialist or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-547-2377.