Bureau of Reclamation – Environmental Water Resources Projects (WaterSMART)

Bureau of Reclamation Environmental Water Resources Projects (WaterSMART) is a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, that funds projects to conserve water, increase water supply reliability, and support environmental water resources in the western United States.

Through WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, Reclamation provides 50/50 cost-share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states, and other entities with water or power delivery authority. Projects must conserve and use water more efficiently, increase hydropower production, or mitigate water conflict risk.

Eligible applicants include states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and local and regional authorities in the western U.S. Applications are due July 28, 2026.

WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants | Bureau of Reclamation Skip to Primary Navigation Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE) Environmental Resources/Reports Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Frequently Asked Questions Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program Baseline Assessments and Pilots Climate and Hydrology Case Studies Cooperative Watershed Management Program Environmental Water Resources Projects Planning and Project Design Reservoir Operation Pilots Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Water Conservation Field Services Program Water Recycling and Desalination WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Through WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (formerly Challenge Grants) Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority.

Projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States. Projects are selected through a competitive process and the focus is on projects that can be completed within two or three years.

For additional on WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, please contact Mr. Josh German at 720-812-0875 or jgerman@usbr. gov; or reach out to Ms. Aiyana Aeikens at 303-445-3174 or aaeikens@usbr.

gov. Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Funding Opportunity and Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Webinar The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on August 29, 2024 to discuss the FY24 Water and Energy Efficiency funding opportunity and the FY24/25 Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects funding opportunity.

On November 14, 2023, The Bureau of Reclamation published a funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (WEEG). This funding opportunity provides funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader sustainability benefits.

These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of renewable energy; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the Western United States. The first round of selections were announced August 5, 2024. The second and last round of applications are due November 13, 2024.

On November 2, 2023, The Bureau of Reclamation published a funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects (SWEP). This funding opportunity provides funding for small water efficiency improvements that have been identified through previous planning efforts.

Projects eligible for funding include installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system, lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or other similar projects that are limited in scope. The first round of selections were announced May 23, 2024, and the second round of selections were due July 9, 2024. The third round of applications are due January 16, 2025.

FY25 WEEG selections anticipated spring 2026. Reclamation launches WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant funding opportunity and extends drought resiliency project deadline Reclamation provides $40. 99 million in grants to improve water efficiency More Information about the Bureau of Reclamation