WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Funding Opportunity
Summary
The Bureau of Reclamation has announced the WaterSMART Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects funding opportunity. This program invites eligible entities in the Western United States to apply for federal cost-sharing for water recycling projects with total costs of $500 million or more.
What changed
The Bureau of Reclamation has released a funding opportunity for Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects through its WaterSMART program. This initiative aims to support the planning, design, and construction of significant water recycling infrastructure, offering up to a 25% federal cost share for projects with a total cost of at least $500 million. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, municipalities, irrigation districts, water districts, wastewater districts, and other regional or state organizations with water or power delivery authority, located within the Western United States. Federal governmental entities, foreign entities, individuals, and institutes of higher education are explicitly ineligible.
Entities interested in this funding should review the provided documentation, including submission instructions and budget templates, and prepare applications that meet the specified criteria. While a specific compliance deadline is not explicitly stated in this announcement, the "Last Updated" date of March 12, 2026, suggests that applications are likely due around this period or shortly thereafter. Applicants should ensure their projects align with the program's goals of increasing water supply and hydropower reliability. Failure to meet eligibility requirements or submission guidelines may result in disqualification.
What to do next
- Review eligibility criteria for the WaterSMART Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects funding opportunity.
- Prepare project proposals and budget documentation according to the provided templates and guidance.
- Submit applications to the Bureau of Reclamation by the specified deadline (to be confirmed via Grants.gov).
Source document (simplified)
WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects
Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
Assistance Listings: 15.504 -- Water Recycling and Desalination Construction Programs
Last Updated: March 12, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to work cooperatively with States, Tribes, and other entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply and hydropower reliability. The WaterSMART Program demonstrably advances Trump administration priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14154 (January 20, 2025): Unleashing American Energy (E.O.14154) and Secretarial Order 3418, and aligns with other priorities and requirements, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14332 (August... 7, 2025): Improving Oversight in Federal Grantmaking (E.O. 14332). The goal of the WaterSMART Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects funding opportunity is to invite eligible entities to apply for up to 25% Federal cost share for the planning, design, and construction of water recycling projects that have a total project cost greater than or equal to $500 million. Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
Eligible Applicants- Applicants eligible to receive an award under this funding opportunity are described below.States, Tribes, municipalities, irrigation districts, water districts, wastewater districts; and any state, regional, or other organization with water or power delivery authority,State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; andAn agency established under State law for the joint exercise of powers, or a combination of entities described above.All applicants must be located in the Western United States; specifically: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.Ineligible Applicants- Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, the following entities:Federal Governmental entitiesForeign entitiesIndividualsInstitutes of higher education
Grantor contact information
Description
Christina Munoz
bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
NOFO Mailbox
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FoaContentofR25AS00322daterevisions3.12.26.pdf | FoaContentofR25AS00322date revisions 3.12.26.pdf | Mar 12, 2026 04:08 PM UTC |
| SubmissionInstructions_Tips.pdf | Submission Instructions & Tips.pdf | Mar 12, 2026 04:08 PM UTC |
| AttachmentA-BudgetDetailandNarrativetemplatev2025_March.xlsx | Attachment A - BudgetDetailandNarrativetemplatev2025March.xlsx | Mar 12, 2026 04:08 PM UTC |
| AttachmentB-BudgetNarrativeGuidancev2025_March.docx | Attachment B - BudgetNarrativeGuidancev2025March.docx | Mar 12, 2026 04:08 PM UTC |
| GeneralNOFOFAQ.pdf | General NOFO FAQ.pdf | Mar 12, 2026 04:08 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
--
Closing: May 13, 2026
May 13, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$130,000,000
Program Funding
10
Expected awards
$1,000
Award Minimum
$130,000,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
R25AS00322
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
Yes Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Natural resources
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
March 12, 2026
Archive date:
August 11, 2026
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