Loans for private water development projects are available from the department. Loans to individual private entities may not exceed the lesser of $400,000 or 80 percent of the fair market value of the security given for the project.

Private loans to individuals must be secured with real property. Loans up to $3 million are available for such organizations as water user associations and ditch companies. These loans are scored by the revenue produced by the system.

The most common type of projects funded through private loans:

• Irrigation system improvements - conversion from flood to sprinkler irrigation 

To finance loans, the law provided authority to issue general obligation renewable resource bonds up to a total outstanding balance of $20 million.