We are excited to announce that our non-profit partner, the Drylands Alliance for Addressing Water Needs (DAAWN), received a $250,000 grant from the Water Conservation Grant Fund (WCGF). Specifically, this funding, provided through the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA), will support a 21-month demonstration project focused on enhanced stormwater infiltration and groundwater recharge at WEST’s land management demonstration site in Red Rock, Arizona, in collaboration with the Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District (CAIDD).

The project will include two stormwater retention basins at the WEST demonstration site, featuring Parjana Engineering’s Energy-passive Groundwater Recharge Product (EGRP®) at different depths. The study will compare these to one unenhanced retention basin to evaluate performance. It will also monitor key metrics. These include surface water infiltration rates and impacts on water table depth. Additionally, this initiative aims to improve groundwater recharge, reduce runoff, enhance water quality, and control vectors. Finally, it will serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, benefiting CAIDD and its constituents.

To ensure effective implementation, Ricardo Aguirre, WEST’s Director of Land Management and Water Security, will oversee the project. He brings extensive experience in both engineering and regenerative agriculture to the initiative. Commenting on the award, Ricardo shared:

We are grateful for this opportunity from WIFA to conduct this independent engineering study with the Central Arizona and Drainage District. We are also grateful for those who supported the project throughout the state and beyond. Hopefully, the results will be transformative and encourage policymakers to consider stormwater as a credible source of water for establishing long-term water security.

Established in 2022, the WCGF provides financial resources for water conservation projects across Arizona. Its goal is to promote effective, efficient, and sustainable water use. This funding round attracted over 200 applicants across eight categories, with DAAWN and CAIDD selected in Category 1: Education and Research Programs. The selection was based on the project’s potential to maximize funding, achieve long-term water use reductions, improve efficiency and reliability, and deliver multiple benefits.

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WEST, an internationally recognized water resources engineering firm, has offices in Arizona, California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. It employs a team of over 60 highly trained professionals who specialize in complex water resource challenges. In addition, WEST collaborates with various organizations to enhance its impact on water management, among them DAAWN. Also see “Rethinking Our Relationship with Land: A Credible Solution for Storing Water” by Ricardo Aguirre in AWRA’s Water Resources Impact to learn about the land management approaches featured at our demonstration site.

DAAWN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicates itself to restoring Arizona’s grasslands through holistic land management. Specifically, DAAWN serves as a center for education, research, demonstration, advocacy, training, and support for regenerative land management practices. Currently, DAAWN operates a working farm/ranch and collaborates with WEST to develop the demonstration site, which offers public tours and classes.

A board of nine landowners governs CAIDD, overseeing approximately 87,600 irrigation acres. Moreover, CAIDD plays a crucial role in managing water resources for agricultural purposes in the region.

In Arizona, WIFA operates as a state authority focused on financing the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of water infrastructure. Ultimately, WIFA’s mission is to enhance water quality in the state through financial and technical assistance.

Visit Parjana Engineering to learn more about their EGRP product.