WaterSMART

Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects

Through the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority for small water efficiency improvements that have been identified through previous planning efforts. Projects eligible for funding include installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system, lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or other similar projects that are limited in scope.

Contacts

For additional information on WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects, please contact Ms. Nickie McCann at 303-445-3733 or send an email to nmccann@usbr.gov.

You may complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notification from the Bureau of Reclamation.

Announcements

• 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

• FY 2022 Small-Scale Water Projects Funding Opportunity Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation released a grant funding opportunity for the Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects. The notice of funding opportunity is available on grants.gov by searching for opportunity number R22AS00195. Click here to view the news release for this funding opportunity.

  Reclamation hosted a webinar on March 9, 2022 to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria this funding opportunity. If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria, click here and select Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Inquiries to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.

Download PowerPoint slides.

Reclamation investing in small water efficiency projects

The Bureau of Reclamation announced that the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects grant opportunity is now available for small, on-the-ground projects that conserve, better manage or use water more efficiently in the West. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and, when enacted, 2022 appropriations will fund the selected projects. Read More →

The funding opportunity is available at www.grants.gov (opportunity number R22AS00195). Applications are due on April 28, 2022, at 4 p.m. MDT. Eligible applicants include states, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, or any other organization with water or power delivery authority in the Western United States or territories. An applicant is eligible for up to $100,000, and the total project costs should be $225,000 or less.

• Reclamation awards $5.5 million to 82 water improvement projects in 16 western states

  The Bureau of Reclamation selected 82 projects to share $5.5 million in WaterSMART Small Scale Water Efficiency Grants. These grants will help local communities make water efficiency improvements such as installing flow measurement, automating a water delivery system, or lining a canal section to reduce seepage. Read More →

  Project Descriptions