WaterSMART

Desalination Construction

The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act provides new authority to Reclamation to develop a desalination construction program that will provide a path for ocean or brackish water desalination projects to receive Federal funding.

The feasibility studies for the following desalination projects meet the requirements contained in Reclamation Manual Directives and Standards WTR 11-01. These findings have been transmitted to Congress.

Report to Congress - Feasibility Study Review Findings Report

The Bureau of Reclamation has transmitted a WIIN Desalination Project Feasibility Study Findings Report to Congress.

• WIIN Desalination Feasibility Study Review Findings Reports - Transmitted May 13, 2021
• WIIN Desalination Feasibility Study Review Findings Reports - Transmitted September 23, 2019
• WIIN Desalination Feasibility Study Review Findings Reports - Transmitted February 13, 2019

Announcements

• President’s Investing in America Agenda Delivers More Than $142 Million to Bolster Resilience to Drought and Boost Water Supplies

  Acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior Laura Daniel-Davis today announced a $142 million investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance drought resilience and boost water supplies across the country, as part of the Investing in America agenda. The selected projects are expected to provide about 40,000 acre-feet of annual recycled water, enough to support more than 160,000 people a year. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• Webinar for WaterSMART Water Recycling and Desalination Construction Funding Opportunities

  On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 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 watch a recording of the live event.

  Download Slideshow

• Biden-Harris Administration Makes $328 Million Available for Drought and Climate Resiliency Projects as Part of President’s Investing in America Agenda

  The Department of the Interior today announced up to $328 million in funding opportunities available through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, to help communities address impacts of climate change through water recycling, water storage and desalination projects. The funds come primarily from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s WaterSMART and Small Storage programs, as well as through annual appropriations, and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. Read More →

• Reclamation invests $28.97 million to assist with planning and feasibility study development for 31 water recycling and desalination projects

  The Bureau of Reclamation announced the selection of 31 planning projects to receive $28.97 million in appropriated funding to support potential new water reuse and desalination projects to help create new sources of water supply less vulnerable to drought and climate change. The recipients will use the funding to prepare feasibility studies and undertake other planning efforts like preliminary project design and environmental compliance activities. Read More →

  Selected Projects