News Release Archive

Reclamation selects eight projects to receive $1.2 million for desalination research pilot projects

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615, psoeth@usbr.gov

For Release: January 19, 2021

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Reclamation is awarding a total of $1.2 million to eight projects through the Desalination and Water Purification Research Program Pitch-to-Pilot. The selected projects show the potential to increase water supplies by reducing cost, energy consumption and environmental impacts of treating impaired and otherwise unusable waters.

"Desalination holds the potential to provide a new source of water for communities through the western United States," said Chief Engineer David Raff. "Reclamation is supporting desalination research to make it more affordable and energy-efficient, so communities can include it in their water supply plans."

Selected projects competed in a unique, two-phase funding opportunity where selected applicants pitched their new technology to technical experts. The selected projects are:

GHD, Inc., (California), Reclamation funding: $149,982
National Water Research Institute, (California), Reclamation funding: $150,000
New Mexico State University, (New Mexico), Reclamation Funding: $150,000
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, (New Mexico), Reclamation funding: $149,876
Noria Water Technologies, Inc., (California), Reclamation funding: $150,000
Texas State University, (Texas), Reclamation funding: $149,999
University of Arizona, (Arizona), Reclamation funding: $150,000
The University of New Mexico, (California), Reclamation funding: $150,000

To view a complete description of each project or learn more about the program, please visit the Desalination and Water Purification Research Program website.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Project Descriptions