# WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/r23as00076-watersmart-water-recycling-and-desalination-planning/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/345107

> Bureau of Reclamation offered grants of up to $5.0 million (at least $100,000) to state and local governments and tribes. It expected to make $30.0 million in total. Applications closed on February 28, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | R23AS00076 |
| Agency | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | February 28, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $5.0 million |
| Award floor | $100,000 |
| Expected awards | not stated |
| Total funding | $30.0 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 15.504 |

## Who can apply

- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

## What the grant funds

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s (Department) WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to stretch and secure water supplies for future generations in support of the Department’s priorities. Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to work cooperatively with States, Tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply sustainability through investments in existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts. Drought conditions across the Western United States (West) impact a wide range of communities and sectors, including agriculture, cities, Tribes, the environment, recreation, hydropower producers, and others. The West is experiencing its worst drought this century—historic in both duration and severity—threatening to kill crops, spark wildfires, and harm public health. As of July, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that more than 93% of the land in nine of the Western states is in drought conditions, and nearly 60% of the area is experiencing extreme or exceptional drought. Through WaterSMART, Reclamation provides financial assistance to water managers for projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the West. Water recycling and desalination are essential tools for stretching the limited water supplies in the Western United States. Water recycling projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse—thereby improving efficiency, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply. These projects provide growing communities with new sources of clean water which increases water management flexibility and makes our water supply more reliable. Desalination projects develop and supplement municipal and irrigation water supplies through the treatment of ocean or brackish water, thereby providing a local supply, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply portfolio. The water recycling and desalination programs also provide support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and align with other priorities, such as those identified in E.O.

## Questions people ask

### Is R23AS00076 still open?

No. It closed on February 28, 2023. A newer notice is open: R26AS00079, closes August 26, 2027 (292 days left).

### Who can apply for WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning?

Bureau of Reclamation accepted applications from state and local governments and tribes.

### What is the deadline for WaterSMART: Water Recycling and Desalination Planning?

Closed February 28, 2023. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $5.0 million each. About $30.0 million in total.

### Who has won WaterSMART Water Recycling grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of San Buenaventura, Water Replenishment District of Southern California. The program made 90 awards worth $942 million in that time.