Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) — Well Decommissioning and Special Projects Pre-Approval

Unused or aging water wells can pose real risks on farms and ranches, from safety hazards to long-term groundwater contamination. For agricultural producers in Saskatchewan, the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) — Well Decommissioning and Special Projects Pre-Approval offers practical financial support to address these issues responsibly. Delivered by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, this initiative helps offset the cost of properly sealing and capping wells that are no longer in use, ensuring the work meets provincial standards.

Through this stream of FRWIP, eligible agricultural operations can receive non-repayable funding covering the majority of decommissioning costs, with support reaching up to around $10,000 per project. The program is geared toward work completed by registered well drillers and focuses on permanent decommissioning, with funding issued once the project is finished. It’s particularly relevant for farms and ranches managing older infrastructure or properties with multiple legacy wells that need to be safely taken out of service over time.

Applications are currently being accepted on an ongoing basis, and multiple projects may be supported over the life of the program for businesses meeting certain requirements. For Saskatchewan producers looking to improve on-farm safety while protecting water resources, reviewing the full program details can help determine whether this funding fits into your operation’s plans.