The Water Is Life Fund

The Water Is Life Fund is sponsored by Arizona Department of Water Resources. The Water Is Life Fund expands water, sanitation, and hygiene services at the community level in Arizona, with a prioritization for projects focused on the Navajo Nation.

[](https://www. azwater. gov/rural-programs/funding-and-grant-information) State and Federal agencies, foundations and private organizations may be potential sources to provide funding to qualifying groups and local governments within rural areas.

The following list represents entities that have contributed funds in the past, and that may have programs to offer assistance to rural watershed groups and partnerships for specific studies and projects. ## Time-Sensitive Funding ● The Arizona Water Protection Fund (AWPF) supports projects that develop or implement on-the-ground measures that directly maintain, enhance and restore Arizona’s river and riparian resources.

The AWPF Commission will be accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2027 grant cycle and will award grants under three categories: capital projects, research, and water conservation. ● Eligible Applicants: Any person, organization, local/state/tribal agency, or political subdivision of Arizona may submit an application.

Federal agencies are not eligible to receive funding from the AWPF; however, funding can be awarded to projects on federal lands. ● AWPF staff will be hosting one grant application workshop: ○ LOCATION DATE Online Webinar* Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 1:30 ○ Link: https://adwr.

info/4tK4Gv3 Webinar Number (Access Code): 2531 632 8014 Webinar Password: 9VGq7PMaNG5 ○ Join by Phone: 1-415-655-0001 US Toll (Access Code is same as above) ● The deadline to submit applications is Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.

m * Through the DWS program, private non-profit organizations will receive grant funds to establish lending programs that will provide household water well, and wastewater system loans and sub-grants to individuals. * The individuals, as loan or grant recipients, may use the funds to construct, refurbish, and service their household water well or decentralized wastewater systems up to the point of entry to the residence.

* Eligible Applicants: Qualified non-profit organizations, including tribally-owned non-profit organizations. * The deadline to submit applications is September 30, 2026, at 11:59pm ● The WSDRF was created to provide low-cost financing and technical assistance for water supply development projects outside of Arizona’s major urban centers.

This fund is specifically designed to meet the unique water supply needs of small, rural communities. ● **Eligible entities include** water providers and political subdivisions outside of the Phoenix, Pinal or Tucson Active Management Areas (AMAs), including municipal water delivery systems, Native American tribes, public water systems, natural resources conservation districts, and county water augmentation authorities.

●**Funding from this program may support:** * Acquiring water, water rights, or contracts for water augmentation * Planning, designing, building, or developing water-related facilities, including any required environmental or other reviews, permits, or plans for the following: Water delivery or conveyance projects * Water storage or recovery projects * Water reclamation, remediation, and reuse projects * Groundwater replenishment projects * Stormwater recharge structures (active or passive) projects * Conservation projects that reduce water use or increase efficient uses of water supplies ● **Applications Deadlines:** * Submit Part I – Project Priority List Application by **May 27, 2026** * Submit Part II – Project Finance Application by **October 4, 2026** ● Pre-Application Consultations are encouraged.

Contact WIFA staff to discuss project eligibility, or application requirements and process. Contact WIFA at (602) 364-1310 or contact@azwifa.

gov ● The goal of the WaterSMART Applied Science Grants (ASG) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to invite eligible entities to apply for funding to improve access to and use of hydrologic data, develop and improve water management tools, and improve hydrologic modeling and forecasting capabilities. ● **Eligible projects** include the development of modeling and forecasting tools, hydrologic data platforms, and new data sets.

● **Eligible Applicants:** States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts; State, Regional, or local authorities whose members include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; and other organizations with water or power delivery authority (Category A).

Universities, nonprofit research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and Federally-funded research and development centers that are acting in partnership with the agreement of an entity described in Category A. All Category A applicants must be located in the Western United States or United States Territories.

● Applications due by July 08, 2026 * **First application due July 8, 2026, at 5:00pm MDT** * **Second application : April 13, 2027, 5:00PM MDT** ● The objective of the WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects NOFO is to invite eligible applicants to leverage their funding and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on the planning, design, and/or construction of water reclamation and reuse projects.

Title XVI projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse, which provides growing communities with new sources of clean water, increases water management flexibility during times of shortage, and makes the water supply ● Projects will be prioritized that create a more reliable water supply in a cost- effective manner, address environmental and water quality concerns, and promote collaborative partnerships.

Projects will address growing water demands and resource challenges by providing new, drought-resistant, local water supplies that stretch existing supplies and reduce water importation. ● Eligible Applicants: States, Tribes, municipalities, irrigation districts, and water districts, or wastewater districts, or other organizations with water or power ● The First application submission period due date is August 26, 2026, at 4:00 p. m.

Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). The Second and final application submission period due date is August 26, 2027, at 4:00 p. m.

Mountain ● The objective of the WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects NOFO is to invite eligible applicants to leverage their funding and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on the planning, design, and/or construction of facilities to desalinate seawater or brackish surface water or groundwater.

● Projects eligible for funding under this NOFO include planning, design, and/or construction of facilities to desalinate seawater or brackish surface water or groundwater. In order to be eligible for funding under this NOFO, the project must meet the following requirements: ○ The project must be constructed, operated, and maintained by an eligible applicant; or the project must be sponsored by an eligible applicant.

○ The project must have a completed feasibility study submitted to Reclamation for review by June 26, 2026, for applications submitted under the first submission period and by January 15, 2027, for applications submitted under the second submission period.

○ Applicants with desalination projects that have an estimated total project cost greater than or equal to $500 million (i.e., the minimum total project cost requirement for Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects) must meet additional feasibility study requirements beyond those in WTR 11-01. ○ The project must be included in a state-approved plan.

The plan and documentation of state approval must be included with the proposal or submitted to Reclamation prior to the application deadline for this NOFO. ● Eligible Applicants: States, departments of a State, subdivisions of a State, or public agencies organized pursuant to a State law, such as: States, Tribes, municipalities, irrigation districts, and water districts, or wastewater districts.

● The first application submission period due date is August 26, 2026, at 4:00 p. m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).

The second and final application submission period due date is August 26, 2027, at 4:00 p. m.

Mountain ● The objective of the WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects funding opportunity is to invite eligible entities to apply for funding to implement projects that benefit water resource management for multiple uses, including water conservation and efficiency projects, water infrastructure improvements, and river and watershed restoration.

● **Eligible Applicants:** States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts;State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; andOther organizations with water or power delivery authority (Category A). Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with Category A Applicants (Category B).

Watershed groups as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act, Section 6001(6). (Category C). ● **Applications Due (First Round) Wednesday, September 9th, 2026, 4:00pm MDT and (Second Round) Wednesday, September 8th, 2027, 4:00pm MDT** * This opportunity provides funding for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design.

By providing this funding, Reclamation promotes water reliability and cooperation between stakeholders to reduce conflict, facilitate solutions to complex water issues, and stretch limited water supplies. * Activities must be within one or more of the following three areas: Watershed Group Development, Watershed Restoration Planning, or Watershed Management Project Planning and Design.

* Eligible Applicants: You must be either an existing watershed group or sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act that is located in one of the following states or territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

* First Round: October 7, 2026, 4:00 p. m. MST * Second Round: February 24, 2027, 4:00 p.

m. MDS * Third Round: September 1, 2027, 4:00 p. m.

MST * Fourth Round: February 15, 2028, 4:00 p. m. MDS * Reclamation will host a webinar on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.

m. MT to share more information on the WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding opportunity. The webinar will cover eligible applicants, project types, and the application process.

Interested applicants will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the webinar. VIRTUAL LINK. * Questions?

Set up a Virtual Call with the Program Coordinator HERE. * Water is Life projects help to expand water, sanitation and hygiene services at the community level in Arizona with a prioritization given to projects focused on the Navajo Nation. * Projects that are creative, community-led, and long-lasting are preferred.

Each project must measurably improve access to water, sanitation, and/or hygiene for the target recipients. The focus must be on human needs, livestock and agricultural water projects are not eligible. If applying on behalf of an organization, the organization must have an annual operating budget of less than $3 million.

* **Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. **Decisions will be made in June and November. To find more, visit their website or contact Dig Deep atwaterislife@digdeepwater.

organd (424) 285-0773. * The Water Supply Development Revolving Fund (WSDRF) was created to provide low-cost financing, grants, and technical assistance for water supply development projects outside of Arizona’s major urban centers. This fund is specifically designed to meet the unique water supply needs of small, rural communities.

* WIFA can provide up to $2 million in grant funding and up to $3 million in the form of a low-interest loan for a total of $5 million in financial assistance per application.

* Interest rate discounts and grant eligibility will be determined based on the criteria listed in ARS § 49-1274(B)(3), including: * **Water Demands:**existing, near-term and long-term water demands compared to the volume and reliability of existing water supplies * **Project Benefits:**impact on water supply, benefits to multiple jurisdictions, conservation efforts, BMPs being implemented, and long-term reliability of supply being developed * **Project Feasibility:**engineering specs, the cost and effectiveness of the proposal, funding sources, and public comment * **Financial Need:**median household income * **Eligible Entities:**Water providers and political subdivisions located outside of the Phoenix, Tucson, or Pinal AMAs.

* **Applications currently being accepted. ** Grant funds may be used to connect service lines to a residence, pay utility hook-up fees, install plumbing and related fixtures, e.g., bathroom sink, bathtub or shower, commode, kitchen sink, water heater, outside spigot, or bathroom.

Applicants must meet the following requirements: * Own and occupy a dwelling located in a colonia (Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas) and have evidence of ownership. * Have a total taxable income (based on the latest federal income tax form from all individuals residing in the household) that is below the most recent poverty. income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

* Have no delinquencies on any federal debt. Applications for this program are**accepted year round. **Please apply through your localRural Development office.

* The grant program is designed to help public water systems in small, underserved, and disadvantaged communities meet and comply with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) drinking water regulations by providing funding for drinking water projects and activities.

* This grant funding will benefit these communities by upgrading infrastructure to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, reducing exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), removing sources of lead, and addressing additional local drinking water challenges. * Funds may also support efforts to build the technical, financial, and managerial abilities of a water system’s operations and staff.

Infrastructure projects—from transmission, distribution, and storage—that support drinking water quality improvements are also eligible for grant funding. * Projects resulting from SmaRT grant funding must take place in a community that is underserved, small and disadvantaged, as defined by SDWA 1459A.

* Eligible Applicants: L imited to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and tribes within the U.S. * Communities may apply for grant funding through their respective state program. * Please contact Daria Evans-Walker for more information at evans-walker. daria@epa.

gov. * This program helps prevent damage or restore households and businesses' access to clean, reliable drinking water in eligible rural areas and towns following natural disasters. Funding can improve the natural environment and encourage manufacturers and other businesses to locate or expand operations.

* Applicants must show that a major decline in quantity or quality of water occurred within two years of the date of the application. Grants are also awarded when a significant decline in quality and quantity of water is imminent. * Eligible Applicants: State and local governmental entities, Nonprofit organizations, and Federally recognized tribes.

* Applications for this grant are accepted year round. Please contact your local USDA Rural Development office. * Being climate-smart means recognizing that we are living in drier and hotter times and producing food using less water.

The Arizona Climate-Smart Practices Program is a pilot program designed by Arizona’s Conservation Districts, AACD, and diverse partner groups to encourage growers in Arizona to adopt climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices that will allow for abundant agriculture while using practices that **conserve water**, promote healthy soil, and mitigate climate change providing beneficial ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration.

The Program also emphasizes cross-cultural knowledge sharing between Native American producers and other participants.

* Producers who participate in the program will receive grant funds to help implement climate-smart practices that reduce pesticide and fertilizer inputs, reduce tillage, use diverse cover crops, rest pastures, and use rotational grazing on farms and ranches, and climate-smart commodities will be marketed through partnership networks. * Annual Incentive of $11,000, + Marketing assistance for desert-adapted crops.

More Information or Apply Here for the Climate-Smart Program The primary objective of this program is to provide design and construction assistance to non-federal sponsor interests for carrying out water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects in Arizona and rural Nevada.

* Projects may include wastewater treatment and related facilities, water supply, and related facilities, environmental restoration, and surface water resource protection and development. * The program holds an **open house** to answer questions to potential applicants **every second Tuesday of each month, at 1 PM Arizona time**. The link to the open house can be found here.

The Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), for project implementation, and the Project Development Assistance Program (PDAP), for project development, are grant programs funded by the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by NADBank.

This program offers grant financing exclusively for the implementation of high-priority municipal drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects located within 100 kilometers of the U.S.-Mexico border. Applications are received throughout the year and are evaluated periodically for placement within the ranked project application list.

As additional BEIF funding becomes available, new projects will be selected and incorporated into the development pipeline. NADBank offers grants to support the implementation of critical environmental infrastructure projects for economically distressed communities in the U.S.-Mexico border region. All projects must be located within 62 miles of the southern border in the state of Arizona.

Projects are available three project sectors are: * **Drinking Water**: Projects that support access to sustainable and safe drinking water, including supply, treatment, transmission, storage, distribution, metering, conservation and point-of-use technologies. * **Wastewater**: Projects that help eliminate exposure to unsanitary water conditions, including service connections/on-site systems, collection, conveyance, treatment and reuse.

* **Storm water**: Projects that support adequate storm water management, including piped systems, retention basins, culverts, canals, berms, erosion control, flow velocity control and green infrastructure. NADBank provides direct financing to public and private entities for the implementation of environmental infrastructure projects located within the U.S.-Mexico border region.

It also offers a variety of financial services to support border communities and other sponsors in developing sustainable projects with sound financial structures.

Financing may be provided in a number of ways, including: * Direct loans: Term, bridge, A/B, etc. * Revolving lines of credit * Participation in municipal bond issues Additionally, NADBank may act as the sole lender or co-finance projects with other public or private financiers, depending upon the characteristics and financing needs of the project. NADBank cannot finance more than 85 percent of the eligible costs of a project.

Funding from other sources in the form of equity contributions, subordinated loans, grants or co-financing is required. NADBank offers technical assistance to help border communities and other project sponsors develop environmental infrastructure projects for financing and implementation, as well as to strengthen their financial performance and reinforce the long-term sustainability of their projects.

* Project development assistance grants are available to project sponsors who are applying for infrastructure financing from NADBank. * Technical assistance is only available to support the development of projects located within the geographic jurisdiction of NADBank.

* The objectives of this NAA/TAP funding opportunity are to provide funding for drought relief actions/projects that mitigate drought impacts for designated federally recognized tribes within the Colorado River Basin, and which advance Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities within the Basin.

* Proposals should meet one or more of the following objectives: Mitigate drought impacts, Increase drought resiliency, Reduce reliance on declining water sources, Increase the efficiency of water deliveries, Mitigate the loss of tribal water or water related resources, Address drinking water shortages or, Advance Presidential or Department of the Interior Priorities in these areas.

* Eligible Applicants: The tribe must be one of the following federally recognized tribes, as defined in 25 U.S.C. Section 5304, designated Colorado River Basin tribes. * Applications due by September 23, 2026, no later than 4:00 p.

m. , MT. * Questions regarding applicant and project eligibility and application review may be submitted to the attention of Dr. Kristine Reed, Native American Affairs Advisor at e: kareed@usbr.

gov or ph: (301) 575-7469