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 2010, Reclamation has selected 2,357 projects to be funded with $3.23 billion in WaterSMART funding, in conjunction with $8.6 billion in non-Federal funding, across the western states.

Documents

• WaterSMART Fact Sheet

Announcements

---

• FY25 Environmental Water Resources Projects Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity. The Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity is available at grants.gov by searching opportunity number R24AS00299 and applications are due March 11, 2025, at 4pm MDT.

  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 Inquiry: Environmental Water Resource Projects to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators. A copy of the slideshow will be made available within a week of the webinar.

• FY25/26 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program Funding Opportunity Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation will host an informational webinar on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 1 pm MTN (3pm EST), to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program funding opportunity. Applications for the first round of funding are due April 15, 2025. Click here join the live event.

• Applied Science Grants Funding Opportunity Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 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 live recording.

• BABA Waiver Posted for Public Comment: AMI Water Meters

  The Bureau of Reclamation has developed a proposed Build America Buy America (BABA) non-availability waiver for AMI water meters. The waiver as proposed would provide coverage for purchases of AMI water meters for three years, using a phased approach. The waiver is available for review here.

  This proposed waiver is posted for public comment for 30 days, through September 29, 2024. Comments can be sent to DOI_Grants_BuyAmerica_Waiver@ios.doi.gov. If you anticipate seeking Federal funding for an AMI water meter project, please review the proposed waiver and share with your stakeholder groups for a strong response. All comments are encouraged, however, comments are specifically sought on the following topics:

  • The waiver is formatted in phases, with the first two years waiving BABA requirements for AMI water meters entirely. During the third year of the waiver, the water meter body is no longer covered by the waiver. This is based on market research to date identifying several manufacturers with meter bodies that are domestically manufactured. Is it reasonable to expect that all AMI water meter manufacturers utilize domestically produced water meter bodies within two years?

  • This waiver is proposed to cover purchases for a total of three years, using the phased approach described above. Covering purchases made during the waiver period sets clear expectations for manufacturers to work towards domestic production. Do grant recipients have any concerns with this approach?

  • Please review the section of the waiver titled “Description of Covered Items” to assess our interpretation of the components of the AMI water meter.

  • Feedback is requested on how manufacturers plan to apply the component cost test to their water meters to meet BABA’s 55% domestic content requirement for manufactured products.

  • Comments identifying difficulties affecting the feasibility of domestically sourcing specific water meter components in an adequate supply to meet demand are extremely helpful.

  • Comments are requested on the current and future capacity of manufacturers to domestically assemble AMI water meters. Of special interest is whether manufacturers with assembly capabilities can provide estimates and certainty for the potential quantities and product characteristics (such as communications methods, compatibility, and/or leak detection) sought by USBR and EPA funded projects. If information gathered through public comment indicates a sufficient supply of meters that can meet domestic assembly requirements but not 55% content requirements, final waiver may be modified to require final assembly of meters in the U.S. and waive only the domestic content requirements.

  • To support the waiver’s basic assumptions, comments are also requested on the substitutability and compatibility of meter bodies and different meter systems.

  This proposed waiver was drafted in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will apply to projects funded by both BOR and EPA. As a reminder, other currently active BABA waivers could provide simultaneous coverage. The WaterSMART waiver continues to provide limited coverage to projects funded under the 15.504, 15.507, and 15.514 assistance listing numbers through February 14, 2025 or February 14, 2026. The Small Grants waiver and the de minimis waiver provide coverage through February 20, 2028.