New Irrigators

Interested in Irrigating:

Farmers interested in irrigating crops from market gardens, orchards, potatoes, hay or any other field crop need to protect their investment by ensuring the project is profitable, environmentally sustainable and meets legislative requirements.

How do I get started?

Determine if your irrigation project will be an expansion to an existing irrigation district, private development or through the formation of a new district.

Department Abbreviations:

SAFRR - Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization

SWA - Saskatchewan Watershed Authority

DFO - Department of Fisheries and Oceans

SERM - Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management

SIPA - Saskatchean Irrigation Projects Association

ICDC - Irrigation Crop Development Inc

Individual Irrigator

1. Contact SAFRR to determine preliminary availability of water and suitable soils.

2. Complete and forward a Request for Technical Assistance (RFTA) to SAFRR with the fees.

3. SAFRR will assist with the following:

  • Water availability (allocation from SWA)
  • Soil suitability (Irrigation Certificate from SAFRR)
  • Need for hydrogeology study (SWA)
  • Feasibility assessment
  • Irrigation design plan
  • Water Rights acquisition (from SWA)
  • Obtaining other regulatory approvals required (DFO, SERM, etc.)

4. Make applications to regulatory agencies if required.

5. Acquire easements

6. Hire hydrologist if needed with SWA guidelines.

7. Receive approval to construct works.

8. Apply for installation of utilities.

9. Purchase and install equipment.

10. Receive approval to operate.

District Irrigator (Existing District)

1. Make application to the irrigation district

2. SAFRR will assist with the following:

  • Soil suitability (Irrigation Certificate from SAFRR)
  • Feasibility assessment
  • Engineered plan

3. Sign a District Water Service Agreement

4. Acquire easements, if necessary

5. Apply for installations of utilities

6. Purchase and install equipment

The district contacts and addresses can be obtained from SIPA or SAFRR

District (New)

For large multi user projects that may result in new districts you require specialized services. Preliminary information may be obtained from SAFRR.

Contacts

Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association
Box 391
Central Butte, SK
S0H 0T0

Phone: 1(306)796-4420
Fax: 1(306)796-2223

SIPA will help you source the necessary information and applications for your project. We have directors representing irrigation throughout the province.


Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization
Box 609
Outlook, SK
S0L 2N0

Phone: 1(306)867-5500
Fax: 1(306)867-9868

Technical and administrative assistance is available from SAFRR to help the developer through the various steps for projects 2 1/2 acres or larger.


Irrigation Crop Development Corporation
Box 700
Outlook, SK
S0L 2N0

Phone: 1(306)867-5400

Contact ICDC for information regarding crop varieties for irrigation and reports on field demonstration programs.