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 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

• 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 join the live webinar or use the same link to watch a recording after the completion of the live event.

  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.  

• FY24 Planning and Project Design Grants, and FY24 Drought Resiliency Projects Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar on Thursday, August 24th, to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for both the Planning and Project Design Grants funding opportunity and the Drought Resliency Prjects funding opportunity. The new Planning and Project Design Grants funding opportunity includes Water Strategy Grants, Project Design Grants, and Drought Contingency Planning.

  Click here to watch a recording of the live event.

  Download Slideshow

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Biden-Harris Administration Makes Nearly $200 Million Available for Drought and Climate Resiliency Projects as Part of Investing in America Agenda

The Department of the Interior today announced up to $195 million in funding opportunities available through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to develop a more resilient water supply, support cooperative watershed management and safeguard aquatic ecosystems. The funds come primarily from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s WaterSMART program, as well as from the Inflation Reduction Act and annual appropriations. Read More →

• FY23 Applied Science Grants Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar Wednesday, July, 26th to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Applied Science Grants funding opportunity. Click here to view a recording of the live event.

  Download slideshow

• Biden-Harris Administration Makes Up to $5 Million Available for WaterSMART Funding Opportunities

  Reclamation today announced a notice of funding opportunity through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the WaterSMART Basin Study Program for the development of hydrologic information and water management tools that improve modeling and forecasting capabilities. Read More →

• 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.  

  Project Descriptions