WaterSMART

WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants

Through WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (formerly Challenge Grants) Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority. Projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States. Projects are selected through a competitive process and the focus is on projects that can be completed within two or three years.

Contacts

For additional on WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, please contact Mr. Josh German at 303-445-2839 or send an email to jgerman@usbr.gov.

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

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

• 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

• Webinar on WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Drought Resiliency Projects, and Environmental Water Resources Projects

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on Friday, August 27, 2021, at 1 pm MDT to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for three recently announced Funding Opportunities: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (WEEG), Drought Resiliency Projects (DRP), and Environmental Water Resources Projects (EWRP).
  
  Download PowerPoint slides

• Reclamation invests in grants to increase water sustainability in the West

  Drought and the impacts of climate change are having a significant effect on the Western United States. These impacts include reductions to water resource needs of agriculture, cities and the environment. The three WaterSMART grant opportunities — Drought Resiliency Projects, Water and Energy Efficiency Grants and the new Environmental Water Resources Projects — will help communities throughout the West by increasing water supply sustainability and drought resiliency. Read More →.