Water Resources drought response grants
Water Resources drought response grants support Washington public entities addressing drought-related water shortages affecting water systems, farms, and livestock operations to relieve immediate hardship.
Funder: Washington State Department of Ecology
Due Dates: April 8, 2026 (Applications opened) | December 5, 2026 (Application end date)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3 million available; each project limited to 25% of total available funds
Summary: Emergency grants support public entities addressing immediate water-supply hardships caused by Washington’s 2026 drought.
Key Information: Applicants must provide at least 50% cost-share unless they are public water systems serving economically disadvantaged communities.
Description
The Washington State Department of Ecology’s Water Resources drought response grants fund projects that alleviate immediate hardship from Washington’s 2026 statewide drought. The state issued a drought emergency declaration after determining that water supplies were less than 75% of normal and that shortages were causing undue hardship to water users and the environment.
Funding addresses drought-related reductions in water supplies used by public water systems, irrigated agriculture, and livestock operations. The program operates under Washington’s emergency drought response legislation and emergency funding rule; it is intended for immediate conditions under the drought declaration, not a broader ongoing water resources program.
