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

• 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.