Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects

The Bureau of Reclamation, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers the Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects funding opportunity as part of its WaterSMART Program. This initiative seeks to promote sustainable water management by encouraging local projects that enhance water supply reliability and efficiency. The program aligns with federal directives such as Executive Orders 14154 and 14332, aiming to increase domestic water sustainability and improve grantmaking oversight. The WaterSMART initiative promotes collaboration between federal and non-federal partners to address water scarcity challenges across the Western United States and designated territories. The goal of the Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects funding opportunity is to support on-the-ground implementation of small-scale projects that conserve water and improve delivery system efficiency. Eligible projects must be supported by prior planning documents such as water conservation plans or System Optimization Reviews. Typical projects include canal lining or piping, installation or upgrade of municipal water meters, irrigation flow measurement improvements, SCADA and automation systems for irrigation, and landscape irrigation efficiency measures. Projects that support federal compliance requirements, benefit broader water reliability, or align with collaborative efforts with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) may receive additional merit review consideration. Applicants may request up to $125,000 in federal funding for projects with a total cost not exceeding $250,000. A 50% non-federal cost share is generally required, except for applicants in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are exempt from the match requirement. Funding is provided through either a grant or cooperative agreement, depending on the level of federal involvement, and projects must be completed within two years of the award date. Construction cannot begin until at least 12 months after the application deadline to allow for environmental and compliance review. Eligible applicants fall into two main categories. Category A includes states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other entities with water or power delivery authority located in specified Western U.S. states and territories. Category B includes nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with a Category A entity, with a required letter of partnership outlining joint project involvement. Ineligible applicants include federal entities, individuals, and institutions of higher education. Only one award may be made per Category A applicant per cycle, while Category B applicants may receive multiple awards with different partners. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by June 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM MDT. Required documents include the SF-424, SF-424A, Project Narrative (limited to 15 pages), Budget Narrative, Project Abstract, and other forms as applicable (e.g., SF-LLL or SF-429). The application must include detailed technical descriptions, maps, benefit assessments, and a schedule for implementation. Evaluation is based on merit criteria including project benefits, planning support, implementation readiness, alignment with Department of the Interior priorities, and cost share contributions. The anticipated project start date is June 2, 2027, with completion expected by June 30, 2029. Selected applicants will receive notice in December 2026, pending appropriations. Questions regarding eligibility or application content should be directed to Program Coordinator Nickie McCann at [email protected] or 720-610-3480. For submission questions, applicants may contact the NOFO team at [email protected]. For further information, visit www.usbr.gov/watersmart/swep.

Clearly link project benefits to water efficiency; show planning basis (e.g., water conservation plan); demonstrate permit readiness and timeline realism.