Established in 2010, the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program provides federal leadership and financial assistance for the efficient use of water in the Western United States. Each year, Reclamation allocates millions of dollars in grant funding through the WaterSMART Program to support Western States, tribes, and local water providers as they plan and implement actions to advance their water efficiency and supply reliability priorities.
What is WaterSMART?
The WaterSMART program was created to address the Western United States’ serious water challenges – widespread drought, increased population, aging infrastructure, and environmental water requirements that all place strain on water resources. The WaterSMART Program funds local water management programs that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently, mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict, or accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability, among other objectives.
Since 2010, the WaterSMART Program contributed $940 million in Federal funds with over $3 billion in non-Federal cost share for 887 water resources planning and on-the-ground projects in the Western US. You can find more details about WaterSMART funded projects on Reclamation’s WaterSMART Data Visualization Tool. 
There are 6 unique water supply reliability programs that operate under the WaterSMART program. Three of these programs provide funding for on-site, localized efficiency and reuse solutions: WaterSMART Grants, Drought Response Program, and Water Conservation Field Services Program.
Within the WaterSMART grants program, there are two funding opportunities specific to localized water efficiency programs:
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (WEEG)
Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects (SWEP)
Check out the additional resources linked below. Stay tuned for access to additional resources highlighting WaterSMART funded localized infrastructure projects. In addition, WaterNow has an ongoing initiative to assist local water managers to apply for these grants – click here to learn more.
Bureau of Reclamation's 2010-2016 progress report on the WaterSMART program finding an expected water savings of 1.14 million acre-feet per year.
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Bureau of Reclamation's 2016 WaterSMART program progress report fact sheet.
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Eligibility & Application Process
Entities eligible for funding opportunities through the WaterSMART Program are:
States
Tribes
Irrigation districts
Water districts
Organizations (including state, regional, or local authorities) with water or power delivery authority in the Western United States or United States territories
Non-profit conservation organizations acting in partnership with any of the entities above
In addition, to be eligible, grant applicants must be located in enumerated states and territories, which include those shown on the below map, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
In order to apply for funding, water providers must be able to cover 50 percent or more of total project costs with non-Federal funding. Non-Federal funding can include (but is not limited to): cash, in-kind contributions, state grants or loans, and/or philanthropic grants. For most WaterSMART program grants, cost-shared project must be completed within two to three years.
Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) are available at grants.gov. Specific NOFOs should be reviewed carefully as the
application requirements change regularly. The application window for WaterSMART Program grants is typically open for two to three months. Application processes will vary for each grant opportunity however all applications will require:
A technical proposal that includes an executive summary, project description and evaluation criteria
A project budget
Overview of environmental and cultural resource compliance
An official resolution from the entity’s governing board
Complete federal forms
Registration on the System for Award Management
And registration on grants.gov (in order to submit an application electronically)
The resources linked below provide further information about WaterSMART eligibilities and application requirements.
Program Notifications & Resources
The WaterSMART grants featured in this section below are available annually and typically open at different times each year. To stay up to date with the latest news, grant opportunity announcements, and program notifications, complete this form to join Reclamation’s mailing list.
Additionally, if you’re interested in applying to a WaterSMART funding opportunity and would like to learn more about our WaterSMART Grant Application Support & Help Desk program, fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch!
Water & Energy Efficiency Grants
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (WEEG) focus on large-scale projects that result in quantifiable and sustained water savings. Criteria also place a priority on projects that support broader water reliability benefits, including multiple benefits achieved through collaboration.
For municipal water providers, eligible localized infrastructure projects include outdoor and indoor water use efficiency programs such as: 
Landscape irrigation measures such as turf replacement, smart irrigation controllers, and high efficiency sprinkler heads
Projects that promote the installation of high-efficiency indoor appliances and fixtures that provide water savings through rebates or direct-install programs
Installing end-user water service meters, such as AMI (advanced metering infrastructure)
Applicants can request federal funding up to $500,000 for projects to be completed within two years, $2 million for projects to be completed within three years, and $5 million for large projects to be completed within three years, all with a 50% non-Federal cost-share match.

Example WEEG Evaluation Criteria are included here.
Since the NOFO is open to a variety of project types, Evaluation Criteria A-D may not apply to every project. For example, a water savings project (Criterion A) may not include implementation of a renewable energy component (Criterion B).
Reclamation typically awards 25 – 35 projects annually, contingent on Federal appropriations. For example, in FY22 Reclamation awarded $42.8 million in WEEG funding to 36 communities.
Complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notifications and to stay up to date on upcoming grant opportunities.
Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects
The Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects (SWEP) grant is for small-scale, on-the-ground water management projects that that seek to conserve, better manage, or otherwise make more efficient use of water supplies. Projects supported by an existing water management and conservation plan, System Optimization Review, or other planning effort led by the applicant are prioritized.
Similar to the WEEG program, for municipal water providers, eligible distributed infrastructure projects include outdoor and indoor water use efficiency programs such as:
Turf replacement, smart controllers, and high efficiency nozzles
High-efficiency indoor appliances and fixtures
Advanced Metering Infrastructure
The SWEP application is designed to be as streamlined as possible in order for small to mid-sized utilities to be able to apply and compared to WEEG, there’s less emphasis placed on quantified water savings.
Applicants may request up to $100,000 in Federal funding, with a non-Federal cost-share of 50% or more of total project costs, for projects with total costs generally no more than $225,000.
Example SWEP Evaluation Criteria are included below.

Reclamation typically awards 50 – 70 projects annually, contingent on Federal appropriations. For example, in FY 21 Reclamation awarded $5.5 million for 82 water projects.
Complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notifications and to stay up to date on upcoming grant opportunities.
Innovative water conservation program to install free smart irrigation controllers for residential customers already reducing outdoor irrigation by 17%.
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Environmental Water Resource Projects
The Environmental Water Resource Projects (EWRP) fund projects focused on benefitting ecological values, while increasing the reliability of water resources. Eligible project types include:
Water conservation and efficiency projects with quantifiable and sustained water savings that benefit ecological values
Water management or infrastructure improvements to mitigate drought-related impacts to ecological values
Watershed management or restoration projects benefitting ecological values that have a nexus to water resources or water resources management
The EWRP grant offers municipal water providers or their NGO partners/collaborators the opportunity to apply for funding that supports localized infrastructure projects that include:
Localized water infrastructure projects, including water efficient appliances, outdoor efficiency measure such as turf replacement or smart irrigation controllers, and green stormwater infrastructure, would likely meet one or more of these eligible project categories. Click here to learn more about the types of localized infrastructure and their water management benefits.
Watershed management or restoration projects that restore natural wetlands, construction or improving wetlands for treatment of irrigation water or stormwater flows, or other natural features to reduce water supply and demand imbalances or the risk of drought or flood.
Applicants can request federal funding of up to $2 million for projects that can be completed within three years. Applicants that have water or power delivery authority may request up to a 75% Federal cost-share contribution when projects have benefits that primarily increase water supply reliability for ecological values and are developed as a part of a collaborative process. NGO applicants must be capable of cost sharing 50% or more of the total project cost.
Example EWRP Evaluation Criteria are included below. 
Reclamation typically awards 15 – 20 projects annually, contingent on Federal appropriations. For example, in FY22, Reclamation awarded $36.1 million in EWRP funding to 27 communities.
Complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notifications and to stay up to date on upcoming grant opportunities.
Drought Resiliency Projects
The Drought Resiliency Projects (DRP) grant is intended for projects that improve the ability of a water manager to
continue to deliver water and power during a drought and should decrease vulnerabilities and costs of drought. Eligible projects fall into three different categories: increasing the reliability of water supplies, improving water management, and providing benefits for fish, wildlife and the environment.
While many DRP projects focus on large-scale infrastructure improvements, funding is also available for distributed infrastructure strategies including:
Constructing stormwater capture and reuse systems, including green stormwater infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens, cisterns, and bioswales
Installing residential graywater and rain catchment systems
Assessing water quality with respect to the level of drought to determine appropriate measures to protect water quality for fish and wildlife, agriculture, and human consumption
Developing water budgets and tiered pricing programs that incentivize decreased consumptive use
Applicants can request federal funding of up to $500,000 for projects that could be completed in two years (Funding Group I), up to $2 million for projects that could be completed in three years (Funding Group II), or up to $5 million for projects that could be completed in three years (Funding Group III) with a 50% non-Federal cost-share match.
Example DRP evaluation criteria for are included below.

Reclamation typically awards 15 – 21 projects annually, contingent on Federal appropriations. For example, in FY22 Reclamation awarded $38 million in DRP funding to 23 communities.
Complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notifications and to stay up to date on future grant opportunities.
AWWA manual with step-by-step guide for preparing for and responding to drought related water shortages.
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Drought Contingency Planning
The Drought Contingency Planning (DCP) grant is available to fund development of a new Drought Contingency Plan or to update to an existing plan. Through this funding opportunity, Reclamation provides financial assistance that, when implemented, will increase water supply reliability and improve water management through the use of expanded technologies and improved modeling capabilities.
Applicants can request federal funding of up to $200,000 for projects that could be completed in two years with a 50% non-Federal cost-share match.
DCP evaluation criteria for FY22 are included below.

Reclamation typically awards 5 – 10 projects annually, based on Federal appropriations. For example, in FY22 Reclamation awarded $865,480 in DCP funding to six communities.
Complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notifications and to stay up to date on future grant opportunities.
Water Conservation Field Services Program
Unlike the other WaterSMART funding programs, the Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) is managed by each of Reclamation’s regional offices and implemented at the local level through Reclamation’s area offices in order to advance water conservation and to meet local goals.
Funding is typically available for projects that prioritize water planning efforts including:
Developing water conservation plans to meet state or local water conservation goals
Identifying water management improvements through System Optimization Reviews (SORs)
Designing water management improvements
Improving application of water conservation technologies through demonstration activities
Water conservation demonstration activities, in particular, is an opportunity for utilities to test out and gather data around innovative, distributed infrastructure tools and technologies such as leak detection devices, smart irrigation controllers, low-flow appliances, etc. If the demonstration program is successful, this demonstration program could then receive additional funding for large-scale implementation through WEEG.

For the Upper Colorado Basin Region (UCB), applicants can request up to $100,000 with a 50% non-Federal cost share match. Be sure to confirm your eligibility through your regional office before applying.
Example WCFSP UCB Evaluation Criteria are included below.


Reclamation typically awards six projects annually, contingent on Federal appropriations.
Complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notifications and to stay up to date on future grant opportunities.
Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program
The Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program (AERP) funds the study, design, and construction of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects, for the purpose of improving the health of fisheries, wildlife, and/or aquatic habitat. This opportunity provides funding under two task areas: Study and Design Projects and Construction Projects. Eligible project activities include:
Study and Design:
Project Outreach
Restoration Project Design Alternatives Analysis
Project Analysis and Design
Design and Engineering to reach 60% level of final project design
Preparation of cost estimates and development of construction plans
Legal and Institutional Requirements Research
Construction Projects:
Completion of Final Project Design
Outreach to Affected Stakeholders
Removal or Modification of Barriers to Fish Passage
Restoration of Connectivity
Restoration of Aquatic Habitat
Improvement of Water Availability, Quality, and Temperature
Other Related Activities
Applicants for Study and Design projects may request up to $2 million, with a minimum award of $500,000. Construction Projects can receive up to $20 million in federal funding under this program, with a minimum award of $3 million. Applicants for both types of projects must obtain 35% of the total project cost as non-federal cost-share funding.
Example Evaluation Criteria are as follows:

This program is in its first year and the total number of projects funded will depend on the amount requested by each applicant, as well as any additional funding which becomes available, but Reclamation anticipates funding 5-10 projects under this program in FY23.
Complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notifications and to stay up to date on upcoming grant opportunities.
WaterSMART Grant Application Support & Help Desk
Now more than ever our cities and water utilities need all of the financial support they can get to meet our region’s water challenges. Through our WaterSMART Grant Application Support & Help Desk program, WaterNow can support Colorado water providers with no-cost, hands-on assistance to understand and apply for WaterSMART grants.
WaterNow has supported a number of successful applications.
South Jordan City, UT received $300k in WEEG funding to implement secondary irrigation metering with
estimated water savings of 172 AF per year. WaterNow worked with South Jordan City to identify and define an eligible project for funding, to connect them with various Reclamation staff members, to draft and provided them with application and budget templates, and to edit and review their application before submission.
Desert Water Agency, CA received $75k in SWEP funding to expand their existing grass removal incentive program. The agency offers rebates to users replacing turf grass with low water use landscaping. The reduced water demand in the service area, estimated at approximately 13 acre-feet annual water savings, will address aquifer overdraft and increase the resilience of water supply. In addition to many of the support services listed above, WaterNow supported Desert Water Agency (DWA) to draft their grant application. DWA is now applying for a much larger grant under the FY21 WEEG funding opportunity to further expand their grass removal program.

The City of Greeley, CO received $1.49M in WEEG funding for Advanced Metering Infrastructure with estimated water savings of 1,129 AF per year. Greeley had submitted an application for WaterSMART funding in FY2019 but were not successful in receiving funding, so they requested support from WaterNow on strengthening their application.
Application Tips
- Before applying, review the objectives of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), eligible project types and evaluation criteria closely to determine if your proposed project is a good fit for the specific grant opportunity. Reach out directly to the listed USBR Program Coordinator to confirm your project’s eligibility.
- Copy and paste the evaluation criteria from the NOFO into your application to ensure you’re responding fully and clearly to all criteria. Need an application template? Reach out to us to learn more!
- Review the application checklist (Page iii of every NOFO) to ensure that you are submitting a complete application with all required supporting materials.
WaterNow is available to provide pro-bono support to Colorado communities applying for WaterSMART funding opportunities. Our support services include, but are not limited to:
- 1-on-1 calls to discuss available grant opportunities and strategize next steps
- Targeted research tasks related to your application
- Application and budget templates that follow the Notice of Funding Opportunity
- Editing and detailed review of your application (Please note that WaterNow is not able to write/draft WaterSMART applications at this time)
- And more! We’ll work with you to determine what kind of support would be most useful to your utility or organization.
If you’re interested in applying to a WaterSMART funding opportunity and would like WaterNow’s assistance, fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch.