News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Availability of Three WaterSMART Grant Funding Opportunity Announcements

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615, psoeth@usbr.gov

For Release: April 30, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of three WaterSMART Funding Opportunity Announcements: System Optimization Review Grants; Advanced Water Treatment Pilot and Demonstration Project Grants; and Research Grants to Develop Climate Analysis Tools. The Funding Opportunities are available online at http://www.grants.gov.

The System Optimization Review Funding Opportunity seeks proposals for projects that assess the potential for water management improvements in a river basin, system, or district and identify specific improvements to increase efficiency, including a plan of action for implementing the recommendations. The Funding Opportunity can be found by searching Funding Opportunity Number R10SF80256. Applications are due Monday, June 14, 4:00 p.m. MDT.

The Pilot and Demonstration Projects for Advanced Water Treatment Funding Opportunity is new this fiscal year and seeks proposals for projects that address the technical, economic, and environmental viability of treating and using brackish groundwater, seawater, impaired waters, or otherwise creating new water supplies within a specific locale. The Funding Opportunity can be found by searching Funding Opportunity Number R10SF80342. Applications are due Tuesday, June 29, 4:00 p.m. MDT.

Eligible applicants that may submit proposals for funding under the System Optimization Review or Advanced Water Treatment Funding Opportunities are State or Territory agencies or departments with water or power delivery authority, Federally recognized Indian Tribes with water or power delivery authority, irrigation and water districts, municipal water or power delivery authorities, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority. Applicants must also be located in the Western United States or an authorized Territory.

The Research Grants to Develop Climate Analysis Tools Funding Opportunity is also new this fiscal year and seeks proposals for research projects that will lead to enhanced management of western water resources in a changing climate. This Funding Opportunity is open to universities and non-profit research institutions as well as organizations with water or power delivery authority and can be found by searching Funding Opportunity Number R10SF80326. Applications are due Friday, July 2, 4:00 p.m. MDT.

All projects will be selected for funding through a competitive process and will be evaluated using established criteria listed in each Funding Opportunity Announcement. It is anticipated that awards will be made by the end of September.

The Water and Energy Efficiency Grant Funding Opportunity, posted on March 16 at grants.gov, can be found by searching Funding Opportunity Number R10SF80157. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, May 4, 4:00 p.m. MDT.

The WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program is intended to address the most significant challenges facing our water supplies in the 21st century, including population growth, climate change, rising energy demands, environmental needs, and aging infrastructure.

For more information on the WaterSMART program visit http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

WaterSMART