CDFA SELECTS 120 PROJECTS FOR 2018 STATE WATER EFFICIENCY AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (SWEEP) GRANTS

En español

SACRAMENTO, June 14, 2019 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture is pleased to announce the projects selected for the 2018 State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). 120 agricultural operations throughout the state have been selected to receive grant funding, totaling $10.3 million, to improve crop irrigation systems that result in water savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The 2018 SWEEP list of selected projects is available online at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep.

The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, a competitive grant program, was initiated in 2014 in response to California’s historic five-year drought. The program offers funding to improve water and energy efficiencies on farms and ranches, increasing agriculture’s resiliency to drought and climate change impacts. SWEEP projects combine multiple strategies to achieve the required water savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Project components often include drip systems, variable frequency drive, solar energy, and sensors or weather stations to effectively time irrigation with crop water needs.

More than 340 agricultural operations applied for funding through the 2018 SWEEP solicitation process. Applications were thoroughly reviewed by a team of irrigation specialists from the University of California and California State University systems. The selected projects are estimated to save 100,653 acre-feet of water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent over 10 years, the equivalent of the removal of more than 7,877 vehicles from our roads. Additionally, the awardees will contribute $7.7 million in matching funds, furthering the positive impacts of the program.

2018 SWEEP funding is provided by Proposition 68 (SB 5), the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Sec 3. Division 45, Chapter 11.6. Section 80147 (b) of the Public Resources Code).

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