The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency is launching the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program for 2022.

The plan is to help Saskatchewan communities respond to the challenge of possible flooding.

The program was set up in 2011 to help with emergency flood damage protection measures for communities, rural municipalities, businesses, rural yard sites and cottages to prevent damage from imminent risk of flooding.

The Water Security Agency is investing up to 500 thousand dollars this year.

Services include technical evaluations and cost share funding for permanent flood defenses and temporary relief through pumping.

The Water Security Agency says many parts of the province have seen low or below normal snowfall this winter but spring runoff is variable and can cause localized flooding if conditions are right.

A study has shown each dollar in prevention has saved a future 20 to 30 dollars in property damage.

—-