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

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

Announcements

• Webinar for WaterSMART Water Recycling and Desalination Construction Funding Opportunities

  On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 11am MDT Reclamation’s WaterSMART Program hosted a webinar to discuss the multiple water recycling and desalination construction funding opportunities currently open on grants.gov. The webinar included information regarding eligibility, program requirements, and the selection process for the following funding opportunities: 1) Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Projects; 2) Title XVI WIIN Act Projects; 3) Desalination Construction Projects; and 4) Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects.

  Click here to view a recording of the live event.

  Download Slideshow

• Biden-Harris Administration Launches New Large-Scale Water Recycling Program with $180 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

  The Department of the Interior today announced the launch of a new large-scale water recycling program and made $180 million in initial funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law available for projects aimed at creating new water supplies that are less vulnerable to drought and climate change. To date, the Bureau of Reclamation has invested $310 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects that advance water recycling and reuse. The new program will incentivize projects at a larger scale, with no cap on project size, and will play an important role in helping communities develop local, drought-resistant water supplies by turning unusable water sources into clean, reliable ones.   Read More →

• 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