The Meter Reimbursement Program provides funding to irrigators to offset up to half the equipment cost of water meters
Thanks to a grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District provides funding to irrigators to offset up to half the equipment cost of water meters.
The District is now accepting applications from irrigators in the district for the meter reimbursement program on meters purchased and installed on or after August 15, 2024. An initial grant was awarded to the District by the TWDB on the basis that meters are an accepted and effective management tool for producers and for groundwater conservation districts. Since June of 2014, the District has received $4,390,900.00 in grants for meters.
You may still send in applications, but funding will NOT be available until next fiscal year (October 2026)!
After all meters are installed and are operable, fill out the Meter Reimbursement Program Application, print and sign it, and along with complete receipts, return to permitting@northplainsgcd.org.
All applicants must submit a Meter Change Form for every meter you are requesting reimbursement for.
Please review the program document before applying.
Program Documents
Program Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants agree to annually furnish the District a listing of crops grown on the reimbursed Groundwater Production Unit (GPU), along with crop acres and inches of water applied.
| GPU | Crops | Acres | Inches Groundwater Applied to Crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1212 | Corn | 120 acres | 26 inches |
| 1212 | Wheat | 183 acres | 16.25 inches |
- Applicants shall not have over-produced any of their GPUs the previous year unless they take care of the civil penalties. (As of March 1, 2025)
- At the time of application, none of their GPUs may have outstanding compliance issues. (As of March 1, 2025)
- Applicants are required to fill out a meter change form for every meter they are requesting reimbursement. (As of March 1, 2025)
- One half (½) the actual cost of each meter is eligible for reimbursement up to $1800 (calculated before taxes and after any discounts; cost of labor, materials, or other expenses are not eligible for reimbursement).
- Application is not a guarantee of reimbursement. Reimbursement is contingent upon program fund availability and applicant meeting program requirements.
- Reimbursement is on a first-come first-served basis.
- First-come first-served mean first to complete the entire process of purchasing and installing all meters and applying to the District for reimbursement.
- Installation costs, other equipment costs, labor costs and meters for non-agricultural irrigation purposes are not eligible for reimbursement currently.
- Meters and installations must be inspected by the District prior to reimbursements.
- Only meters installed on agricultural irrigation systems are eligible for the meter reimbursement program at this time.
- Meters must be purchased and installed On or after August 15, 2024. Meters purchased or installed before this date are not eligible for reimbursement.
- Meters and installation must meet District Rules and be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s installation guidelines.
- Meters must be maintained in good working order and repaired expeditiously as necessary.
- Non-repairable meters must be replaced at the owner’s expense.
- Copies of original receipts must be complete, clearly show the meter costs, serial numbers and any tax or discounts. Copies of bank or credit card statements are not acceptable.
Meter Reimbursement Program FAQs
The District undertaking or operating future reimbursement programs is not guaranteed. However, the program may continue if other funds become available.
Replacement meters (replacing a meter bought under this program) are not eligible for cost reimbursement. Meters bought to replace meters not bought with program funds are eligible for reimbursement.
Meters purchased and installed during the eligibility period without prior registration with the District will be evaluated on an individual basis and may or may not receive any reimbursement. Applicants must notify the District after the meter’s installation is complete.
Meter Reimbursement Program participants must report meter readings annually, what crops are grown and the number of acres of each crop. This information can be reported with the annual production report or may be reported separately.
Participants must furnish original receipts to the District that clearly show the meter costs and serial numbers. Copies of bank or credit card statements are not acceptable.
Meters must be maintained in good working order and repaired expeditiously as necessary. Non-repairable meters must be replaced at the owner’s expense and the owner must notify the District.
Meters and installation must meet District rules and be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s installation guidelines.
Must be meters installed on agricultural irrigation systems.
Meters and installations must be inspected by the District prior to reimbursements.
Installation costs, other equipment costs, labor costs and meters for nonagricultural irrigation purposes are not eligible for reimbursement.
First-come first-served does not mean first to register their intention to seek reimbursement. First-come first- served does mean first to complete the entire process of registering, completing all paperwork, installing all meters, receiving District inspections, furnishing all necessary receipts to the District and requesting reimbursement.
You should complete Meter Reimbursement Program registration with the District prior to purchasing and installing meters. Keep in mind, registration is no guarantee of full, partial or of any reimbursement. Reimbursement is contingent upon program funds availability and meeting program requirements.
One half (½) the actual cost of meters installed on an agricultural irrigation well is eligible for reimbursement.
