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Water Conservation Initiative

The American West is now the fastest growing region of the country and faces serious water challenges.  The prolonged drought in the Western States, population growth in areas with existing water supply challenges, and increased need for water for energy purposes such as ethanol production, is exacerbating the demand for water and challenging traditional water management approaches.  At the same time, historically “normal” rainfall and snowpack conditions in the West appear to be shifting due to climate change. 

The Department of the Interior has an important role to play in providing leadership and assistance to States, Tribes, and local communities to address competing demands for water.  The Water Conservation Initiative (WCI) will take a significant step toward addressing western water issues through three ongoing Reclamation programs focused on stretching limited water supplies, including an expanded Challenge Grant Program, Reclamation’s Basin Study Program began in FY 2009, and the Title XVI Program.   Through these programs, Reclamation will provide competitive grants for water marketing and conservation projects; basin-wide planning studies that will address the impacts of climate change; and continued funding of water reuse and recycling projects.

Overview of the Water Conservation Initiative and Implementation of the Secure Water Act

 

 

Date last reviewed: 11/16/09