Cooperative Funding Program

The Cooperative Funding Program administered by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is a cost-share reimbursement initiative designed to advance construction-ready Alternative Water Supply (AWS) and Water Conservation (WC) projects. The program is a key component of the District’s strategy to meet future water demands while supporting its mission to safeguard and restore water resources, protect communities from flooding, and enhance environmental resilience across its 16-county service area. For the FY2027 cycle, the program anticipates legislative appropriations from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), with applications open from December 1, 2025, through February 26, 2026. The objective of the program is to facilitate the development and implementation of projects that promote the use of nontraditional water sources or water-saving technologies. Eligible AWS projects include, but are not limited to, aquifer storage and recovery systems, reverse osmosis plants, reclaimed water infrastructure, brackish water wells, and surface/stormwater storage systems. WC projects may involve installation of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, automated irrigation systems, advanced meter analytics software, and hardware retrofits in both urban and agricultural settings. Projects must be located within SFWMD’s boundaries or demonstrate benefits to the region, and must be ready for construction or implementation between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2028. Funding is available for up to 50% of eligible project costs, with certain projects receiving up to 40% if funded through the Water Protection and Sustainability Trust Fund. This is a reimbursement-only program, and applicants must demonstrate the capacity to fund the full project scope prior to reimbursement. Eligible applicants include public and private water providers, municipalities, utilities, industrial and agricultural users, nonprofit organizations, and homeowners' associations. Ineligible applicants include individual homeowners and any entity out of compliance with relevant water permits or lacking required water ordinances or plans. Applications must include a full project narrative, cost breakdown, GIS or locational data, and supporting documentation, including a signed acknowledgment form. The application process requires electronic submission via the District’s online portal. Applicants may select either the AWS or WC application format, both of which are Excel-based and include embedded cost-effectiveness calculators to standardize evaluation. For WC projects, a threshold cost-effectiveness ratio of ≤ $6.00 per 1,000 gallons saved is enforced. Evaluation criteria include project readiness, environmental and regional benefits, cost-effectiveness, and consistency with regional water supply plans. Projects with strong documentation, local ordinance compliance, and alignment with the District’s conservation goals will be prioritized. The SFWMD will conduct a review of all submissions during March–April 2026, followed by Governing Board review and project list approval in May 2026. Approved project lists will then be submitted to the FDEP for final funding allocation. Final award amounts will be based on verified costs and scope completion, with partial awards possible in the case of scope under-delivery. Projects that leverage multiple funding sources or serve rural economic development areas may receive enhanced consideration. Site visits, quarterly reporting, and documentation including invoices, engineer certifications, and completion photos are required for project closeout and reimbursement. All applicants must adhere strictly to the guidelines, including exclusion of non-eligible expenses such as planning, permitting, and operations and maintenance. The District encourages collaboration and seeks projects that are multijurisdictional or demonstrate scalable impact. Questions about the program may be directed to Stacey Payseno, Lead Project Manager, or Ibel Cruz, Water Supply Implementation Section Leader. Full guidelines and application documents are accessible on the District’s official website.

Emphasize project readiness, cost-effectiveness, and eligibility compliance. Avoid including non-allowable expenses like planning or O&M.