WaterSMART

Large-Scale Water Recycling Program

Section 40905 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), P.L. 117-58 provides authority for Reclamation’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Program. The program will provide $450 million over the next five years to projects in Reclamation states that have a total project cost greater than or equal to $500,000,000, at 25% Federal cost share, with no per-project maximum. Large-scale recycled water projects will play an important role in helping communities develop local, drought-resistant sources of water supply by turning currently unusable water sources into a new source of water supply that is less vulnerable to drought and climate change.

Projects will become eligible to compete for funding under the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program once Reclamation has reviewed a feasibility study submitted by the non-Federal project sponsor and has informed Congress that the project meets Reclamation’s requirements. Temporary guidelines for the preparation of feasibility studies are established by WTR TRMR-128, Large-Scale Water Recycling Program Feasibility Study Review Process

WTR-TRMR-128 communicates to project sponsors the additional information they must provide to Reclamation, beyond existing Title XVI Program requirements. The additional requirements are being made available as a TRMR so that potential project sponsors can begin working on feasibility studies. Over the next year, this TRMR will be incorporated as permanent revisions to the existing Reclamation Manual Directive and Standards "Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program and Desalination Construction Program Feasibility Study Review Process" (WTR 11-01). There will be an opportunity for public comment during the permanent revision process.       

If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, or program requirements, click here and select Large-Scale Water Recycling Program Inquiries to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.

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

Announcements

• Reclamation released a funding opportunity for development of water reuse and desalination projects

  The Bureau of Reclamation released a grant funding opportunity for planning and pre-construction activities for potential new Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse projects, Desalination Construction projects, and Large-Scale Water Recycling projects. The notice of funding opportunity is available on grants.gov by searching for opportunity number R23AS00076.

  Reclamation hosted a webinar on January 11, 2023 to discuss eligible applicants, project activities, and the evaluation criteria for Water Recycling and Desalination Planning funding opportunity. We also discussed program requirements and how projects can become eligible to compete under future funding opportunities for the planning, design, and construction of projects under the Title XVI Program, the Desalination Construction Program, and the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program.

  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 coordinators.

  Download Powerpoint Slides

• Feasibilty Study Guidance Posted

  Temporary guidelines for the preparation of feasibility studies are established by WTR TRMR-128, Large-Scale Water Recycling Program Feasibility Study Review Process. It is available at: WTR TRMR-128 Temporary Release