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.

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WaterSMART Project Selections Overview

Since January 2010, Reclamation has selected 2,445 projects to be funded with $3.4 billion in WaterSMART funding, in conjunction with $8.96 billion in non-Federal funding, across the western states.

Documents

• WaterSMART Fact Sheet
• Spring 2025 Tributary Newsletter
• Summer 2025 Tributary Newsletter
• Fall 2025 Tributary Newsletter
• Summer 2026 Tributary Newsletter New!

Announcements

• Public Comment for WTR 11-01 Water Recycling and Reuse Prorgrams

  The Bureau of Reclamation is requesting public review and comments from relevant stakeholders on the draft revisions to Reclamation Manual Directives and Standards WTR 11‑01. The draft and additional information are available on the Reclamation Manual website.

  Please submit written comments to Maribeth Menendez (mmenendez@usbr.gov) before the end of the 30-day comment period, which ends on October 29, 2026, and include “Public Comments on WTR 11‑01 Revisions” in the email subject line.

  Please note that Large‑Scale Water Recycling feasibility study requirements are included in the draft publication. If the Large‑Scale Water Recycling Program authority is not extended or reauthorized, all water recycling feasibility studies will instead be reviewed under the Title XVI Program. Prospective applicants under the WaterSMART Water Recycling and Desalination Programs will be expected to use the revised WTR 11-01 required report contents for any feasibility studies submitted after 1/15/2027.
  As part of the webinar series on implementing Secretarial Order 3446, Reclamation will present an overview of the proposed WTR 11‑01 changes in October.

• WaterSMART Coooperative Watershed Management Program Webinar

  On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Coooperative Watershed Management Program Notice of Funding Opportunity. Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.

  Download slideshow.

• Reclamation awards $38.9 million in WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants

  The Bureau of Reclamation has selected 31 projects in 10 western states to receive a total of $38.9 million for on-the-ground water efficiency projects. The grants will help the water entities use water more efficiently and improve water supply reliability in the western United States.

• WaterSMART Title XVI and Desalination Construction Webinar

  On Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Title XVI and Desalination Construction Notice of Funding Opportunities. Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.

  Download slideshow.

• WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects Webinar

  On Tuesday, June 16th, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Enhanced Water Resourses Projects Notice of Funding Opportunity. Click here to watch the recording.

  Download Slideshow

• WaterSMART Applied Science Grants Webinar

  On Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Applied Science Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity. Click here to watch the recording.

  Download Slideshow

• WaterSMART Drought Response Program Webinar

  On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Drought Response Program Notice of Funding Opportunity. Click here to watch the recording.

  Download Slideshow

• WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Webinar

  On Thursday, March 19, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Notice of Funding Opportunity. Click here to watch the recording.

  Download Slideshow

• Reclamation awards $3.7 in WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Grants

  The Bureau of Reclamation has selected 36 projects in 13 western states to receive a total of $3.7 million for small-scale water efficiency projects. The grants will help the water entities use water more efficiently and improve water supply reliability in the western United States.