Syilx Territory, Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has opened its intake for the 2026 Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) Grant program, announcing $350,000 in available funding and a new priority theme: “Innovation in Water Supply, Quality, and Quantity.” The WCQI program, running since 2006, provides grants between $3,000 and $30,000 to local governments, First Nations, improvement districts, and non-profits across the Okanagan Basin for water conservation and quality projects.
Since its inception, the OBWB has granted more than $6.55 million to 358 projects that conserve water and/or enhance water quality in the Okanagan and provide valley-wide benefit.
Projects submitted under this year’s ‘Innovation in Water Supply, Quality, and Quantity’ theme will be eligible for up to 10 bonus points during the review process if they propose creative, science-based, and collaborative solutions to address the Okanagan’s most pressing and emerging water challenges.
These challenges include:
- The increasing frequency of blue-green algae blooms and other pollutants.
- Climate-driven shifts in hydrologic cycles (drought and flooding).
- The growing presence of contaminants such as PFAS and microplastics.
- The critical need for resilient infrastructure planning and financing to secure the region’s long-term water sustainability.
Application Details
The call for applications officially starts today, Nov. 12, 2025.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to review the application package early to ensure they meet the program requirements before the final deadline of Friday, Feb, 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
The complete Program Guide, including scoring criteria, detailed information, and application forms can be found at www.OBWB.ca/wcqi.
About the OBWB
The OBWB is a local government agency established in 1970 to address the region’s most pressing water issues. It represents a collaborative partnership between the three Okanagan regional districts, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the Water Supply Association of BC, and the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council.
The OBWB’s mandate is to protect and enhance water resources in the Okanagan Basin — a transboundary (Canada and US) watershed nearly 200 km long and covering 8,000 km². This unique watershed includes the headwaters of the Columbia River and six major valley-bottom lakes: Wood, Kalamalka, Okanagan, Skaha, Vaseux, and Osoyoos. Surrounded by mountains and growing communities, the region faces complex and mounting water challenges, from climate change and population growth to ecosystem degradation and water scarcity.
