WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects For Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025

Background
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.

WaterSMART provides support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (E.O. 14008) and aligned with other priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (E.O. 13985). The WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects also support the goals of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group established in March 2021 and the National Drought Resiliency Partnership. These grants will advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.

Grant Details
The objective of this NOFO is to invite States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on small-scale on-the-ground projects that seek to conserve, better manage, or otherwise make more efficient use of water supplies.

Proposed projects that are supported by an existing water management and conservation plan, System Optimization Review, or other planning effort led by the applicant are prioritized. Reclamation has simplified the evaluation criteria and streamlined the application process for this category of WaterSMART Grants to ensure that the process works for smaller entities.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants eligible to receive financial assistance under this NOFO include:

Category A: States; Indian tribes; irrigation districts; water districts; state, regional, or local authorities, whose members include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; and other organizations with water or power delivery authority.

Category B: Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with an entity described in Category A. All applicants must be located in the Western United States or United States territories.

Period of Performance
This NOFO covers four application periods with anticipated award dates ranging from October 31, 2024 to March 31, 2028.

Grant Value
Approximately $12,000,000 is available under this program. The maximum award is $100,000 per applicant.

Place of Performance
All applicants must be located in the Western United States or United States territories.