WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects

Applicants are required to provide a minimum cost-share of 50% via cash, applicant contributions, 
or third-party in-kind contributions.
 
*Cost-sharing requirement is not applicable to American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana 
Islands, or the Virgin Islands.

Eligible Projects: (include, but are not limited to)

• Canal Lining/Piping: Installing new proven lining materials or technology; converting open canals to pipeline; and improving existing conveyance and delivery infrastructure.
• Municipal Metering: Installing or upgrading meters, such as end-user water services meters, e.g., for a residential or commercial building unit; and one-time purchase of software, equipment, and training for meter monitoring can be included.
• Irrigation Flow Measurement: Improving measurement accuracy and reducing spills and over-deliveries to irrigators; installing wires, flumes, ramps, etc. in open channels; and installing meters in pressurized pipes.
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Automation (SCADA): Installing SCADA and/or automation components that provide water savings when irrigation delivery system operational efficiency is improved to reduce spills, over-deliveries, and seepage.
• Landscape Irrigation Measures: Reducing outdoor water usage by removing turf; installing drought tolerant landscaping, Smart irrigation controllers, and high-efficiency sprinkler heads.
• High-Efficiency Indoor Appliances and Fixtures: Installing high-efficiency indoor appliances and fixtures to provide water savings.
• Commercial Cooling Systems: retrofit or replace large evaporative cooling units, such as air-cooled units or high-efficiency cooling towers.

Category A Applicants:

• States, Tribes, Irrigation Districts, and Water Districts;
• State, Regional, or Local Authorities (the members of which include on or more organizations with water or power delivery authority); and
• Other organizations with water or power delivery authority.

Category B Applicants:

• Nonprofit conservation organizations acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of, an entity described in Category A.

All applicants and projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Clean Water Act (CWA).
 
Projects with total project costs greater than $225,000 should be submitted under the WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants NOFO.
 
Proposed projects should not have an estimated construction start date that is prior to 12 months after the submission deadline for the application period.
 
The costs for the purchase of water or land, or to secure an easement other than a construction easement are not eligible project costs under this funding opportunity.
 
An agreement will not be awarded for an improvement to conserve irrigation water unless the applicant agrees to both of the following conditions:
· Not to use any associated water savings to increase the total irrigated acreage of the applicant; and
Not to otherwise increase the consumptive use of water in the operation of the applicant, as determined pursuant to the law of the state in which the operation of the applicant is located.

Application Evaluation Criteria:

1. Project Benefits – 35 points
   
2. Planning Efforts Supporting the Project – 25 points
   
3. Project Implementation – 20 points
   
4. Nexus to Reclamation – 5 points
   
5. Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities – 15 points
   

Title: Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact - USBR
Name: Christina Munoz (application, submission, and award administration)
Email/Phone: bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov; and (720) 614-2192
 
Title: Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact - USBR
Name: Nickie McCann (applicant and project eligibility; and application review)
Email/Phone: nmccann@usbr.gov; and (303) 445-3733