- 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 255 projects to be funded with $93 million in WaterSMART funding, in conjunction with $314.3 million in non-Federal funding, across the western states.
Documents
Announcements
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $140 Million for Water Conservation and Efficiency Projects in the West
The Department of the Interior today announced a $140 million investment 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. Funding for 84 projects in 15 western states, provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriations, will go to irrigation and water districts, states, Tribes and other entities and are expected to conserve over 230,000 acre-feet of water when completed. This is equivalent to 77 billion gallons of water, enough water for more than 940,000 people.
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Basin Studies Webinar
The Bureau of Reclamation will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 10:00 am MDT, to discuss information about WaterSMART Basin Studies, including eligible applicants, program requirements, and the selection process. Click here to join the webinar.
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FY23 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects Webinar
The Bureau of Reclamation will hosted a an informational webinar on the new Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program Tuesday April, 18th. The webinar will coverd eligible projects and applicants, and general application tips. Click here to view a recording the webinar.
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Biden-Harris Administration makes $30 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds available to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems
The Bureau of Reclamation is making $30 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law available to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems. Funding will support the study, design and construction of collaboratively developed ecosystem restoration projects that provide widespread regional benefits and improve the health of fisheries, wildlife and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage. The investments are part of the $1 billion investment provided by the Infrastructure Law for the WaterSMART program. Read More →
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FY23 Environmental Water Resources Projects Webinar
On January 24, 2023, the Bureau of Reclamation published a funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects (EWRP). The funding opportunity supports water conservation, water management, and restoration projects that result in significant benefit to the ecosystem or watershed health. The projects must also be part of a collaborative process to increase water resource reliability.
The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on February 6, 2023 to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity and the new Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Program. Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.
If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria for the Environmental Water Resources Projects, click here and select Environmental Water Resource Projects Inquiry to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.
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Biden-Harris Administration makes $80 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds available for projects that conserve water and improve watershed health
The Bureau of Reclamation is making approximately $80 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law available for water conservation, water management and restoration projects that will result in significant benefits to ecosystem or watershed health. Read More →
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Biden-Harris Administration invests $7 million in 82 projects to improve water efficiency
The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a $7 million investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 82 small-scale water efficiency projects across the West. These grants will support local community projects, including measuring water flow, automating water delivery, or lining canals. Today’s funding is part of $1 billion provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the innovative WaterSMART program, which supports 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.
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Reclamation released a funding opportunity for development of water reuse and desalination projects
The Bureau of Reclamation released a grant funding opportunity for planning and pre-construction activities for potential new Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse projects, Desalination Construction projects, and Large-Scale Water Recycling projects. The notice of funding opportunity is available on grants.gov by searching for opportunity number R23AS00076.
Reclamation hosted a webinar on January 11, 2023 to discuss eligible applicants, project activities, and the evaluation criteria for Water Recycling and Desalination Planning funding opportunity. We also discussed program requirements and how projects can become eligible to compete under future funding opportunities for the planning, design, and construction of projects under the Title XVI Program, the Desalination Construction Program, and the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program.
If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria, click here to schedule time to talk with the program coordinators.
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Reclamation announces $4.6 million in funding for Basin Studies
Bureau of Reclamation announced today that Reclamation will use $4.6 million to partner with water managers to conduct comprehensive water studies. This funding will help complete four basin studies in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Read More →
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Biden-Harris Administration Invests More Than $84 million in 36 Drought Resiliency Projects
The Department of the Interior today announced a $84.7 million investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help 36 communities throughout the West prepare and respond to the challenges of drought. The selected projects will help bring clean, reliable drinking water to communities across the West through investments in innovative drought resilience efforts, such as groundwater storage, rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, water reuse, ion exchange treatment, and other methods to stretch existing water supplies. Read More →