New Grant Program Aims to Help Growers Save Water

Photo courtesy of the Coachella Valley Water District

By City News Service

Local growers of permanent crops like date trees can get help converting their furrow and flood irrigation systems to water-saving drip under a new grant program administered by the Coachella Valley Water District, agency officials said.

The pilot program aims to help convert about 667 acres of crops to drip irrigation, potentially saving about 2,000 acre-feet of water each year.

Funds will come from a $1 million grant intended to help increase the amount of Colorado River water stored in lakes Powell and Mead.

“In order to obtain meaningful agricultural water conservation we need to attract willing participants, and to do that, we need to make the rebate program user-friendly,” said Jim Barrett, CVWD general manager.

To be eligible, the crops must be irrigated with water from the Colorado River. Rebates will be $1,500 for each acre converted, which amounts to about 75 percent of the actual cost.

Growers interested in applying for the rebates are encouraged to attend a Sept. 9 workshop at the agency’s Coachella facility, at 51501 Tyler St.

“Grower input at this workshop is important,” Barrett said. “We may have as many questions for growers as they have for us.”