If you own or operate a farm or ranch in Saskatchewan, unused or unsafe water wells can create real risks. The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) helps cover the cost of properly decommissioning wells and completing approved water-related special projects. Knowing which expenses are eligible is important, especially under the Well Decommissioning and Special Projects Pre-Approval stream.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture offers up to $10,000 per project and covers 90% of eligible costs to reduce environmental and safety risks tied to old water infrastructure (Government of Saskatchewan, FRWIP Guidelines).
The Well Decommissioning and Special Projects Pre-Approval stream has clear rules. Funding is not open-ended. Only certain costs qualify, and each must follow program guidelines.
If you are applying for well decommissioning funding, these expenses are eligible:
Sealing and capping of existing water wells
The work must be completed by a registered well driller in Saskatchewan. DIY work does not qualify (Government of Saskatchewan, FRWIP Guidelines).
Labour costs charged by the registered well driller
This includes time spent properly sealing the well to provincial standards.
Materials required to decommission the well
Eligible materials include bentonite, cement, caps, and other sealing products used as part of the approved process.
Contractor travel costs, if included as part of the professional service invoice
These must be directly related to the decommissioning work.
Funding covers up to 90% of total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $10,000 per applicant (Government of Saskatchewan, FRWIP Guidelines). This support is a non-repayable grant.
The Special Projects Pre-Approval requirement means:
Pre-approval protects you from spending money on work that does not qualify under FRWIP rules.
Eligible applicants include (Government of Saskatchewan, FRWIP Guidelines):
If you keep livestock or poultry, your operation must also have a valid Premises Identification (PID) number.
You can use GrantHub to check your eligibility for Saskatchewan programs.
Knowing what is excluded can save you time and frustration. FRWIP does not cover:
If your project involves broader water system upgrades, other Saskatchewan agriculture funding programs may be a better fit.
Starting work before approval
Expenses incurred before pre-approval are not eligible. Even if the work meets program standards, you must wait for written approval.
Using an unregistered well driller
Only work completed by a registered professional qualifies. Invoices are reviewed closely.
Assuming this is repayable funding
FRWIP well decommissioning support is a non-repayable grant. You do not need to pay the funding back.
Missing income or PID requirements
Applications are often delayed or rejected due to missing farm income documentation or an invalid PID number.
Q: How much funding can I receive through FRWIP well decommissioning?
You can receive up to $10,000 per project, covering a maximum of 90% of eligible costs (Government of Saskatchewan, FRWIP Guidelines).
Q: Is FRWIP well decommissioning funding repayable?
No. This stream provides a non-repayable grant.
Q: Do I need to use a registered well driller?
Yes. Sealing and capping must be completed by a registered well driller for expenses to qualify.
Q: When must expenses be incurred to be eligible?
Eligible expenses must be incurred after October 1, 2022, and only after receiving project approval.
Q: Can new farm entrants apply?
Yes, new entrants may be eligible if they can meet the $50,000 income threshold within the program term.
The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program can help reduce the cost of properly decommissioning wells on your Saskatchewan farm or ranch. This is only possible if your expenses fit the program rules. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active agriculture and infrastructure funding programs across Canada. You can check which ones match your business profile and project plans.
For related guidance, see also:
Understanding eligible expenses now can save you months of delays later.
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