MWDSC: Innovative Conservation Program Funding Grant

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's Innovative Conservation Program (ICP) has funded innovative water savings projects since 2001, with $250,000 available biannually. The program aims to evaluate and demonstrate the reliability of new water-saving technologies. Nearly 400 proposals have sought $36 million in funding. The ICP, supported by multiple agencies, encourages projects that can benefit Southern California's water efficiency, inviting proposals from outside its service area to enhance regional water management.

NOTE: The program operates on a two year cycle. We are expecting the next round of funding to be available in early 2025.
Background
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has implemented the Innovative Conservation Program (ICP) since 2001, allocating $250,000 biannually for sponsoring pilot and demonstration projects of innovative water savings devices, technologies, and strategies. Since 2013, Metropolitan has partnered with other funding agencies to increase the total award funding available. The 2018 ICP is cosponsored by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Western Resource Advocates, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Central Arizona Project, and the Southern California Gas Company. Subject to availability, a total of $550,000 will be awarded competitively through the ICP.
Purpose and Objective
The primary purpose of the ICP is to provide funding to promote pilots and demonstration projects that evaluate the water savings potential and reliability of innovative water savings devices, technologies, and strategies. Since the establishment of the Innovative Conservation Program in 2001, Metropolitan and its funding partners have received almost 400 proposals requesting $36 million of funding from seven solicitations. Although Metropolitan is located in Southern California (Figure 1), ICP solicitations welcome proposals from outside Metropolitan’s service area as long as the results of the demonstrations could be applicable to the region.
The objectives of the Innovative Conservation Program include:
Supporting the demonstration of innovative water saving devices;Establishing a real-world water use baseline; Increasing public knowledge of water savings and reliability;Encouraging the use of innovative water management and conservation technologies by the general public; andContinuing and increasing collaboration with Reclamation to advance water use efficiency in Southern California