- Reclamation
- WaterSMART
WaterSMART
The American West faces serious water challenges. Wide-spread drought, increased populations, aging infrastructure, and environmental requirements all strain existing water and hydropower resources. Adequate and safe water supplies are fundamental to the health, economy, and security of the country. Through WaterSMART, Reclamation will continue to work cooperatively with states, tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply through investments to modernize existing infrastructure and avoid potential water conflicts.
Join the WaterSMART Mailing List
You may complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notification from the Bureau of Reclamation.WaterSMART Project Selections Overview
Since January 2021, Reclamation has selected 539 projects to be funded with $239.8 million in WaterSMART funding, in conjunction with $2 billion in non-Federal funding, across the western states.
Documents
Announcements
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Reclamation provides $1.8 million for comprehensive water study in American Samoa
The Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the American Samoa Power Authority, is making $1.8 million available to conduct a basin study on the American Samoa island Tutuila. American Samoa is facing challenges related to climate change, water distribution system losses, and reliance on freshwater aquifers, which are susceptible to saltwater intrusion. Read More →
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $51 Million from the President’s Investing in America Agenda to Restore and Protect Rivers and Watersheds
The Department of the Interior today announced more than $51 million in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for 18 projects in eight states that will restore and protect aquatic ecosystems. Read More →
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Webinar for WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Funding Opportunity
On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Reclamation’s WaterSMART Program hosted a webinar to discuss the Water and Energy Efficiency Grants funding opportunity currently open on grants.gov. The webinar includes information regarding eligibility, program requirements, and the selection process.
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $51 Million from Investing in America Agenda for Water Resources and Ecosystem Health
The Department of the Interior today announced $51 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for 30 new Environmental Water Resource Projects in 11 states through the Bureau of Reclamation. The collaborative projects focus on water conservation, water management and restoration efforts that will result in significant benefits to ecosystem or watershed health.Read More →
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President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Provides $50 Million for Water and Energy Efficiency Projects
The Department of the Interior today announced the availability of up to $50 million for water conservation and efficiency projects as part of the President’s Investing in America agenda to enhance the resilience of the West to drought and climate change. Read More →
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Webinar for WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Funding Opportunity
On Thursday, November 9, 2023, Reclamation’s WaterSMART Program hosted a webinar to discuss the Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects funding opportunity currently open on grants.gov. The webinar included information regarding eligibility, program requirements, and the selection process.
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Reclamation Announces Upper Red River Basin Study Complete
The Bureau of Reclamation released the Upper Red River Basin Study report outlining the findings of a seven-year comprehensive study of the upper reaches of the Red River in Oklahoma. The report identifies a range of operational, administrative, and legal strategies that could address water supply imbalances as well as strategies to develop supplemental water supplies. Read More →
The report is available on Reclamation's Basin Study website.
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Biden-Harris Administration Makes $328 Million Available for Drought and Climate Resiliency Projects as Part of President’s Investing in America Agenda
The Department of the Interior today announced up to $328 million in funding opportunities available through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, to help communities address impacts of climate change through water recycling, water storage and desalination projects. The funds come primarily from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s WaterSMART and Small Storage programs, as well as through annual appropriations, and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. Read More →
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Reclamation invests $28.97 million to assist with planning and feasibility study development for 31 water recycling and desalination projects
The Bureau of Reclamation announced the selection of 31 planning projects to receive $28.97 million in appropriated funding to support potential new water reuse and desalination projects to help create new sources of water supply less vulnerable to drought and climate change. The recipients will use the funding to prepare feasibility studies and undertake other planning efforts like preliminary project design and environmental compliance activities. Read More →
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Biden-Harris Administration Launches New Large-Scale Water Recycling Program with $180 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Department of the Interior today announced the launch of a new large-scale water recycling program and made $180 million in initial funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law available for projects aimed at creating new water supplies that are less vulnerable to drought and climate change. To date, the Bureau of Reclamation has invested $310 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects that advance water recycling and reuse. The new program will incentivize projects at a larger scale, with no cap on project size, and will play an important role in helping communities develop local, drought-resistant water supplies by turning unusable water sources into clean, reliable ones. Read More →