A WaterSMART System Optimization Review is an analysis of system-wide efficiency that focuses on improving the effectiveness and operations of a delivery system, district, or watershed. The SOR results in a plan of action that focuses on future water management improvements. Improvements that are recommended in the SOR may then be eligible for funding under WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants or other WaterSMART Grant categories.

A Review contains the following steps:

• Information Gathering - Gather existing information about the system
• Collect New Data (if necessary)
• Identify Issues and Priorities - Identify water management improvements to be addressed by the recipient
• Set Goals- Establish goals to conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, protect endangered and threatened species, facilitate water markets, or carry out other activities to address climate-related impacts on water or prevent any water-related crisis or conflict
• Identify and Evaluate Potential Improvement - Identify potential projects, including costs and benefits
• Define a Plan of Action - Recommend a sequence and strategy for implementation of improvements
• Prepare a Final Report - Identifies specific improvements that will lead to improved water management within the applicant’s delivery system and includes a plan of action for implementing the proposed recommendations

Applicants must:

• Be a State, Indian tribe, irrigation district, water district, or other organization with water or power delivery authority
• Be able to provide 50/50 cost-share. Up to $300,000 in Federal cost-share will be available per project.
• Be able to complete the SOR within 24 months

Salazar Announces $2.7 Million in WaterSMART Funding to Study River Basins and Improve Water Systems - (July 20, 2011) Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Bureau of Reclamation is providing $2.7 million in funding for studies in California, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Texas through the U.S. Department of the Interior's WaterSMART Program. More...