It’s time to apply! WaterNow Alliance is here to help. The Bureau of Reclamation has announced 3 WaterSMART funding opportunities that are now open for applications to support water conservation and efficiency:  WaterSMART Grant – Water and Energy Efficiency, WaterSMART Grant - Small-Scale Water Efficiency, and Drought Response – Resiliency Projects. Scroll down to read the details for each program.

Water conservation and efficiency are key to building a resilient water future in the Colorado Basin. Funding through the Bureau’s WaterSMART Program can make a big difference in getting local projects and programs up and running, particularly for medium and smaller water providers. WaterNow over the last few months has been speaking with Reclamation staff to gather information and prepare to provide application guidance and technical support to our members who may be interested in applying for these funds.  We understand these applications take time to develop and WaterNow wants our members to know we are here for from start to finish if you need extra capacity.  As additional applications for funding opportunities are opened, WaterNow will be sending out more information. To join our WaterSMART mailing list and/or request assistance with the application process, click here.

Bringing Home Federal Funding to Support Your Community

As communities across the US grapple with aging infrastructure, drought, flooding, and other serious challenges, the Bureau of Reclamation has expanded funding opportunities provided by the WaterSMART Program to help address these challenges. WaterNow is working to support our members, partners, and water providers in the Colorado Basin with guidance in determining program eligibility and facilitating the WaterSMART application process. The 3 WaterSMART Programs that include a focus on water conservation and efficiency elements are:

  1. WaterSMART Grants;
  2. Drought Response Program (DRP); and
  3. Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP). 

WaterSMART GRANTS

The Reclamation through its WaterSMART Grants Program include the following three grant sub-programs: (1) Water and Energy Efficiency; (2) Small-Scale Water Efficiency; and (3) Water Marketing Strategy on a 50/50 cost-share basis.  If your project includes a purpose to:

  • conserve and use water more efficiently;
  • mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and
  • accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability

you should consider to apply for WaterSMART’s Water and Energy Efficiency Grant (applies to larger water conservation projects) and/or Small-Scale Water Efficiency funding (applies to specific-small water efficiency projects that have been prioritized through planning efforts led by the entity). The Water Marketing Strategy are to establish or expand water markets or water marketing activities which is separate from the conservation and efficiency goals of Water and Energy Efficiency and Small-Scale Water Efficiency.

  • The Water and Energy Efficiency Grant application is open as of January 31st, 2019 and will close March 19, 2019 at 4pm MT. 
  • The Small-Scale Water Efficiency Project grant application is now open and closes April 24, 2019 at 4pm MT.
  • Water Marketing Strategy Applications will likely open this January or February based on communication with Reclamation staff.

NOW OPEN  FOR APPLICATIONS –WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS!

2019 Application Opened: January 31, 2019
Current Closing Date for Applications: March 19, 2019 as 4pm MT
Funding Opportunity #: BOR-DO-19-F004
Link to Application Documents:https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=BOR-DO-19-F004

Summary of Water and Energy Efficiency Grants:

These grants will be awarded to larger projects that will result in quantifiable and sustained water savings and support broader water reliability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; 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.

Per the Reclamation there is about $24 million available through this funding opportunity in 2019. Funding is provided in two groups.

  • Funding Group I projects receive up to $300,000 and can be completed within two years.
  • Funding Group II projects may receive up to $1.5 million for a phased project up to three years.

Applicants must provide at least a 50 percent cost-share. Per communication with Reclamation staff, last year 54 out of 120 applicants received funding for this grant.

Questions/Need Application Support from WaterNow: Email Kate Moran

NOW OPEN  FOR APPLICATIONS – SMALL-SCALE WATER EFFICIENCY PROJECTS!

2019 Application Opened: January 24, 2019
Current Closing Date for Applications:April 24, 2019, 4pm MT
Funding Opportunity #: BOR-DO-19-F005
Link to Application Documents: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=BOR-DO-19-F005

 Summary of Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects:

The projects funded with these Small-Scale Water Efficiency grants include:

  • installation of flow measurement devices and automation technology;
  • canal lining or piping to address seepage;
  • municipal meter upgrades; and
  • other projects to conserve water.

These cost-shared projects conserve and use water more efficiently, mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict, and accomplish other benefits that contribute to a reliable water supply in the West. Funding of up to $75,000 is available per project and total project construction costs should be no more than $200,000. Recipients must also provide at least a 50-percent non-Federal cost share. Per communication with Reclamation staff, last year 58 out of 70 applicants received funding for this grant and is considered less competitive compared to some of the other grants.

Questions/Need Application Support from WaterNow: Email Kate Moran

DROUGHT RESPONSE PLANNING

The DRP includes (1) Drought Contingency Planning; (2) Resiliency Projects; (3) Emergency Response Actions to support a proactive approach to drought by providing assistance to water managers.  This includes assistance to help develop and update comprehensive drought plans and implement projects that will build long-term resiliency to drought. 

WaterNow is available to help support applications for the Drought Contingency Planning and the Reclamation will provide financial assistance on a competitive basis for applicants to develop a plan or update a plan to meet the required  elements described in the Drought Framework Plan. Most drought contingency planning processes are structured to address the following:

  • How will we recognize the next drought in the early stages?
  • How will drought affect us?
  • How can we protect ourselves from the next drought?

WaterNow is available to help support applications for the Resiliency Projects and the Reclamation will fund projects that:

  • build resiliency to drought by increasing the reliability of water supplies;
  • improving water management; and/or
  • providing benefits for fish and wildlife and the environment.

Applicants must provide at least a 50 percent cost-share. To learn more about this expanded program click here.

  • The Resiliency Project application is open as of January 24th, 2019 and will close March 27, 2019 at 4pm MT. 

NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS – DROUGHT RESPONSE PLANNING RESILIENCY PROJECTS!

2019 Application Opened: January 24, 2019
Current Closing Date for Applications: March 27, 2019, 4pm MT
Funding Opportunity #: BOR-DO-19-F003
Link to Application Documents:https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=BOR-DO-19-F003

Summary of Grant:

As an applicant you must demonstrate that the proposed project is supported by an existing drought planning effort as it is a well-established principle that proactively identifying resiliency projects through drought planning, in advance of a crisis, is far more cost effective than emergency response. Drought resiliency projects shall:

  • increase the reliability of water supplies;
  • improve water management; and/or
  • provide benefits for fish, wildlife and the environment.

Proposed projects that are supported by an existing drought plan are prioritized. Federal funding is available in two funding groups:

  • Funding Group I: Up to $300,000 per agreement for a project that can be completed within two years.
  • Funding Group II: Up to $750,000 per agreement for a project that can be completed within three years.

Those eligible to apply for funding include states, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the western United States or United States Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended. Applicants must also provide a 50 percent non-Federal cost-share. Reclamation anticipates awarding between 10 and 15 drought resiliency projects for 2019.

Questions/Need Application Support from WaterNow: Email Kate Moran

WATER CONSERVATION FIELD SERVICES PROGRAM

WCFSP provides financial assistance for:

  • water conservation planning;
  • development of system optimization reviews;
  • designing water management improvements; and
  • demonstration projects. 

Get Ready to Apply: The WCFSP are currently carried out by each regional office (i.e., Upper and Lower Colorado Reclamation Regional Offices).  Anticipate funding opportunities for the Lower Colorado is to open in early-mid 2019. 

NOT SURE WHAT GRANT(S) TO APPLY TO? 

WaterNow is here to help you with technical support and/or guidance through the application process. Contact us by email or phone if you would like to set-up a time to discuss funding options for your community. While, WaterNow is focused on the 3 major programs discussed above to promote water conservation and efficiency in the Colorado Basin, there currently are a total of 6 major programs each with targeted objectives (e.g., in-stream flows, efficiency, environment, conservation, watershed health, collaboration, etc.).  To learn more about each Program click the link to read more on the Reclamation website.

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