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

WaterSMART Fact Sheet

Announcements

Webinar for WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Funding Opportunity

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, from 11:00 - 12:00 MST, Reclamation’s WaterSMART Program will host 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.
Click here to join the live event.
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 →

Project Descriptions
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 →
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.
Click here to watch a recording of the live event.

Download Slideshow
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.
Webinar for WaterSMART Water Recycling and Desalination Construction Funding Opportunities

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Reclamation’s WaterSMART Program hosted a webinar to discuss the multiple water recycling and desalination construction funding opportunities currently open on grants.gov. The webinar included information regarding eligibility, program requirements, and the selection process for the following funding opportunities: 1) Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Projects; 2) Title XVI WIIN Act Projects; 3) Desalination Construction Projects; and 4) Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects.
Click here to view a recording of the live event.

Download Slideshow
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 →
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 →

Selected Projects
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 →
FY24 Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I and FY24 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects Webinar

The Bureau of Reclamation will host an informational webinar on Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm MDT to discuss the Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I and the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects funding opportunities.
Click here to watch a recording of the live webinar.
If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility or the evaluation criteria, click here and select the applicable funding opportunity to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.

Open Funding Opportunities

FY24/25 Small-Scale Water Efficiency Program funding opportunity. Applications for FY24 are due January 16, 2024.

FY23/24 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program funding opportunity. Applications for FY24 are due January 24, 2024.

FY24 Water and Energy Efficiency Grants funding opportunity. Applications are due February 22, 2024.

FY23/24 Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects funding opportunity. Second round of applications are due March 29, 2024.

FY23/24 Planning and Design Grants funding opportunity. Applications for FY24 are due April 4, 2024.

FY23 Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding opportunity. Second round of applications are due September 3, 2024.

FY23/24 Title XVI WIIN Act Projects funding opportunity. Applications for FY24 are due September 30, 2024.

FY23/24 Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Projects funding opportunity. Applications for FY24 are due September 30, 2024.

Funding Opportunity Calendar

Click here to view a detailed status of all current and upcoming WaterSMART funding opportunities.

Reclamation partnered with grants.gov to bring you this webinar to help familiarize yourself with the site and to provide an overview of how to submit a grant application. View the Powerpoint