WaterSMART

Title XVI - Water Reclamation and Reuse

Title XVI of P.L. 102-575, as amended (Title XVI), provides authority for Reclamation’s water recycling and reuse program, titled “Title XVI.” Through the Title XVI program, Reclamation identifies and investigates opportunities to reclaim and reuse wastewaters and impaired ground and surface water in the 17 Western States and Hawaii. Title XVI includes funding for the planning, design, and construction of water recycling and reuse projects in partnership with local government entities.

In 2018, an estimated 431,000 acre-feet of water was recycled through Title XVI projects.

Report to Congress - Title XVI Feasibility Study Review Findings Report

The Bureau of Reclamation has transmitted the Title XVI Feasibility Study Review Findings Report to Congress.

• Title XVI Feasibility Study Review Findings Report - Transmitted May 13, 2021
• Title XVI Feasibility Study Review Findings Report - Transmitted September 23, 2019
• Title XVI WIIN Feasibilty Study Review Findings Report - Transmitted February 13, 2019
• Title XVI Feasibility Study Review Findings Report - Transmitted February 7, 2018
• Title XVI Feasibility Study Review Findings Report (Enclosure) - Transmitted July 12, 2017

Contacts

Contact Information: For more information regarding Title XVI, please contact Maribeth Menendez, at 303-445-2094 or mmenenendez@usbr.gov.

• Interior Region 5: Missouri Basin & Interior Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas Gulf - Collins Balcombe, (512) 899-4162 or cbalcombe@usbr.gov
• Interior Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin - Brandi Rose, (801) 524-3639 or broseworthington@usbr.gov
• Interior Region 8: Lower Colorado Basin - Brett Mooney, (702) 293-8506 or bmooney@usbr.gov
• Interior Region 9: Columbia-Pacific Northwest - Cavan Gerrish, (208) 378-5347 or cgerrish@usbr.gov
• Interior Region 10: California-Great Basin - Mike Dietl, (916) 978-5070 or mdietl@usbr.gov

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

• President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Help Communities Reduce Vulnerability to Drought

  Following a tour of the Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project at the Irvine Ranch Water District today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton announced the allocation of $309.8 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $1 million in appropriated funding for the planning, design and construction of water reuse projects across the country.  Read More →

  Project descriptions

• Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program and Desalination Construction Projects Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on February 9, 2022 to share information about Title XVI Program and Desalination Construction Project funding opportunities that are currently open for applications, and how projects can become eligible to compete for funding under future funding opportunities.

  Download PowerPoint slides.

• Interior Department Announces Infrastructure Investments for Desalination, Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects

  The Department of the Interior today announced three funding opportunities available to help Western communities create or expand clean, new water sources. The selected projects, which include desalination, and water reclamation and reuse projects, will be funded through investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and, when enacted, fiscal year 2022 appropriations. Read More →

• Reclamation selects two water recycling and reuse projects to receive $9.5 million

  The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $9.5 million to two congressionally authorized Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse projects. This WaterSMART Program funds the planning, design, and construction of water recycling and reuse projects in partnership with local government entities. Read More →