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 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

• WaterSMART Fact Sheet

Announcements

• 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

• 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 view a recording of the webinar.

• 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.

• 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 →

• 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.

  Download Powerpoint Slides

• 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 →

• 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.

  Project Descriptions

• 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.

  Download Powerpoint Slides

• 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 →

• 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 →

  Project Descriptions

• Watershed groups receive $3.8 million to collaboratively address water management issues

  The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $3.8 million to 21 groups to create or expand watershed groups. WaterSMART's Cooperative Watershed Management Program brings diverse stakeholders together to develop local solutions for their water management needs. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• Reclamation provides $1.2 million in grants to improve water modeling and forecasting to support water management

  The Bureau of Reclamation is investing $1.2 million in eight external applied science projects that will develop tools and information to support water management. The projects selected include the development of modeling and forecasting tools, hydrologic data platforms and new data sets to inform decision-making. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Help Communities Reduce Vulnerability to Drought

  Following a tour of the Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project at the Irvine Ranch Water District today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton announced the allocation of $309.8 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $1 million in appropriated funding for the planning, design and construction of water reuse projects across the country.  Read More →

  Project descriptions

• Reclamation approves $865,480 to five western states for drought contingency planning grants to improve long-term drought resiliency

  As the western United States faces unprecedented severe drought conditions, the Bureau of Reclamation is announcing the award of six drought planning activities for 2022 WaterSMART: Drought Contingency Planning grants. This program provides federal cost-share funds for entities to develop and update comprehensive drought plans, employing a proactive approach to build long-term resiliency to drought. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Help Safeguard Water Supplies in 12 States and Puerto Rico

  The Department of the Interior today announced a $36.1 million investment, including $26.7 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, to safeguard local water supplies in the wake of record drought across the West. Twenty-seven projects in 12 states and the first-ever in Puerto Rico will be awarded funding to advance quantifiable and sustained water savings by protecting watersheds impacted by wildland fire, restoring aquatic habitats and stream beds, and advancing other environmental restoration projects to mitigate drought-related impacts. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Provide $25.5 Million for Water Efficiency Projects in Eight Western States

  The Department of the Interior today announced $25.5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds for WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants to safeguard local water supplies in the face of severe western drought. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• Fiscal Year 2023 Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on June 15, 2022 to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the recently announced Funding Opportunity: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (WEEG).

  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 coordinator.

  Download PowerPoint Slides

  The WEEG funding opportunity offers three funding groups: Funding Group I is up to $500,000 in federal cost-share for projects that can be completed in 2 years, Funding Group II is up to $2 million in federal cost-share for projects that can be completed in three years, and Funding Group III is up to $5 million in federal cost-share for projects that can be completed in 3 years. Federal cost-share is limited to 50% of total project costs. A 50 percent minimum recipient cost-share is required.

  WEEG provides funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader sustainability benefits. You may access this funding opportunity by clicking here or by searching grants.gov for opportunity number R23AS00008.

  Applications under the WEEG funding opportunity are due on July 28, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. MDT.

• Reclamation selects 22 projects to receive $17.3 million to improve water efficiency in West

  The Bureau of Reclamation selected 22 projects to share $17.3 million in WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants. These competitive projects improve water use efficiency, increase renewable energy production, reduce the risk of water conflicts, and provide other benefits that will enhance water supply sustainability in the Western United States. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• Reclamation announces 2023 funding opportunity for Water and Energy Efficiency Grants

  The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a funding opportunity for the fiscal year 2023 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants to allocate Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and fiscal year 2023 appropriations. Read More →

  Download package from Grants.gov

• Fiscal Year 2023 Drought Resiliency Projects Webinar

  On March 24, 2022, The Bureau of Reclamation published a funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Drought Response Program’s Drought Resiliency Projects (DRP). This funding opportunity supports the implementation of drought mitigation projects that will build long-term resilience to drought. Through this funding opportunity, Reclamation provides financial assistance for projects that, when implemented, will increase water supply reliability and improve water management.

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on Friday, April 8, 2022, to discuss eligible applicants, project types, and the evaluation criteria for the DRP funding opportunity. The funding opportunity is available on grants.gov (opportunity number R23AS00005). Applications are due by June 15, 2022, at 4 pm MDT.

  Download PowerPoint slides

  The DRP funding opportunity offers three funding groups: Funding Group I is up to $500,000 in federal cost-share for projects that can be completed in 2 years, Funding Group II is up to $2 million in federal cost-share for projects that can be completed in three years, and Funding Group III is up to $5 million in federal cost-share for projects that can be completed in 3 years. Federal cost-share is limited to 50% of total project costs. A 50 percent minimum recipient cost-share is required.

  If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility or the evaluation criteria, click here and select Drought Resiliency Projects Inquiry to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.

• Reclamation Announces Funding Opportunity for Drought Resiliency

  The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a funding opportunity for WaterSMART: Drought Resiliency Projects. This program provides federal cost-share funds for entities to take a proactive approach to drought through building projects that increase water supply reliability and improve water management. Read More →

• Reclamation approves an additional $17.5 million for drought resiliency projects

  The Bureau of Reclamation approved an additional $17.5 million in WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Project grants for ten more projects in the Western United States. These grants will help communities increase their ability to recover from droughts. This funding supplements the prior $20.5 million in WaterSMART grant funding that was announced in January 2022, for a $38 million total federal investment this year in improving drought resiliency in the West.  Read More →.

  Project Descriptions - Phase II