- The Imperial Irrigation District launched a new grant program on June 12, 2026, making $7.5 million available for local water and agriculture projects.
- Government agencies such as cities, schools, and special districts are eligible to apply for matching funds up to $500,000 per project.
- Projects must have a clear connection to water or agriculture and must deliver broad community benefits.
- The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with award announcements expected in October 2026.
- The program was launched in honor of the 125th anniversary of water first flowing to the Imperial Valley.
Thursday, June 18, 2026 — Water is the lifeblood of California’s Imperial Valley. It has shaped the land, built the farms, and supported generations of families. Now, the Imperial Irrigation District
is marking a historic milestone by returning $7.5 million to the communities that depend on it.
On June 12, 2026, the District officially opened applications for a new program called FLOW, which stands for Funding Local Opportunities for Water. The one-time grant program offers matching funds to local government agencies seeking to advance water and agriculture projects.
Who Can Apply and How Much Is Available.
The program is open to government agencies of all kinds. That includes cities, school districts, special districts, and agencies within Imperial County. A private company or individual cannot apply, but public entities have broad room to get creative with their proposals.
The way the matching funds work is straightforward. For every dollar a qualifying agency puts toward a project, the Imperial Irrigation District will match it up to 50 percent of the total project cost. The maximum the District will contribute to any single project is $500,000.
In plain terms, if a city has a $600,000 water safety project, the District could chip in up to $300,000. The applying agency would need to cover the rest.
What Kinds of Projects Qualify.
Eligible projects must have a clear connection to water or agriculture. That covers a wide range of possibilities. Water conservation programs, drinking water safety improvements, irrigation infrastructure, pipelines, bridges that serve farm operations, and other public works with a water connection all could qualify.
The District says it will give priority to projects that are ready to break ground soon, are unlikely to get bogged down in permitting delays or funding gaps, and deliver benefits to a broad number of people rather than just a small group.
“The FLOW grant program is an excellent example of how IID continues to invest in and give back to the communities we serve,” said Imperial Irrigation District Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “These grants are focused on partnering with local government agencies to move water projects forward that provide broad community benefits. We encourage all eligible agencies to apply.”
How the Money Is Being Funded.
The $7.5 million is coming from a one-time budget amendment within the District’s Water Department. Importantly, the funds come from what the District describes as non-rate revenues, meaning the money is not being taken from customer water rates.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating.
The timing of the program is not accidental. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the first delivery of water to Imperial Valley, a moment that transformed what was once a dry desert into one of the most productive agricultural regions in the United States. The FLOW grant program is the District’s way of honoring that history while investing in the valley’s future.
Deadlines and Next Steps.
Any government agency interested in applying has until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, to submit a completed application along with required supporting documents. Applications must be submitted by email to FLOW@iid.com.
After submission, the District will review each application within five business days to confirm it is complete and eligible. If anything is missing, applicants will have until July 29, 2026, to submit it.
There is no limit on how many applications a single agency can submit, though agencies with multiple proposals are asked to clearly state which projects they consider highest priority. Grant awards are non-transferable, meaning they cannot be handed off to another organization.
Award announcements are expected in October 2026.
For information about program guidelines and the application process, interested agencies can visit www.iid.com/flow.
