State Water Efficiency
& Enhancement Program
Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability
The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) is an incentive program for California agricultural operations. The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save water by funding the implementation of advanced irrigation systems and technologies. These systems are designed to improve water use efficiency and reduce energy consumption, making agricultural production more sustainable.
SWEEP incentivizes the installation of irrigation-specific hardware. Eligible system components that may be funded include but are not limited to: soil moisture monitors and evapotranspiration stations, efficient irrigation systems, retrofitting existing irrigation systems with low pressure components, pump repairs and replacements, and the installation of renewable energy systems such as solar panels to power irrigation equipment. The program prioritizes projects that help growers reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining or improving crop yields.
SWEEP aligns with California's commitment to improving water management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the state. It supports innovative solutions to conserve vital water resources, especially in light of California’s frequent drought conditions. Through this program, CDFA encourages the adoption of sustainable practices that protect the environment while ensuring the long-term viability of California’s agricultural sector.
Solicitations
We are currently not accepting applications for the SWEEP program.
Long Term Impact
The long-term impacts of SWEEP extend beyond immediate water savings. By fostering the adoption of innovative irrigation systems and renewable energy, SWEEP promotes diverse and regionally-tailored sustainable farming practices that can be implemented across the state. The result is a more resilient agricultural sector capable of adapting to California’s changing climate and ongoing variable water availability.
Types of Projects Being Funded
SWEEP supports custom irrigation projects that combine multiple components and practices to result in water conservation and reduced GHG emissions. Producers are encouraged to take a complete and holistic view to determine what technologies and practices will support farm resilience to fluctuating water supplies.
Irrigation Water Management
An irrigation water management (IWM) system provides farmers and ranchers information related to the conditions in the field to help make irrigation decisions. IWM systems can includes technology such as in-field soil moisture monitoring sensors that can detect below ground soil saturation to inform the grower of when it’s time to irrigate and for how long. Additionally, evapotranspiration sensors (ET) and in-field weather stations can help inform irrigation scheduling.
Efficient Irrigation Systems
Efficient and well-maintained irrigation systems result in precise application of water to the rootzone of the crop. Different methods of irrigation can be supported by SWEEP funding including installation of or improvement to sub-surface drip irrigation, drip irrigation, sprinkler/micro-sprinkler, pivot and surface irrigation. Systems must reduce the water use on the field and be designed with high distribution uniformity to ensure even watering of the field, reducing water lost to evaporation and runoff.
Pump Retrofits and Replacements
As pumps age, they wear down and become less efficient. This expected degradation can be further impacted by in-field conditions, including the water quality. Pump retrofits can restore pumping systems to close to their original operating efficiency, which saves on the amount of energy needed to pump water.
In some instance the best way to improve the efficiency of a pump is to replace it, especially if the pumping requirements are changing as part of an irrigation project.
Renewable Energy Installation and Fuel Switching
SWEEP supports the conversion of irrigation pumps to lower-emitting fuels. For example, a diesel pump may be replaced by an electric motor, resulting in decreased GHG emissions when the pump is in operation. Additionally, in-field renewable energy systems, often solar arrays, can offset or supplement the non-renewable energy needed to support an irrigation system.
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