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WaterSMART: Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects

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Grant Insights

The purpose of the WaterSMART: Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects program is to provide financial and technical assistance to sponsors of congressionally authorized reclamation and reuse projects for the planning, design, and/or construction of Title XVI projects that develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse—thereby improving efficiency, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply. Program funds are authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 

The DOI seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental’s and Presidential Administration’s priorities of increasing water supply sustainability, combating the climate crisis, advancing investment equity in disadvantaged or underserved communities, and strengthening Tribal sovereignty. 

Key Updates U.S. Department of the Interior –  Bureau of Reclamation 
Funding Opportunity
WaterSMART: Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects – FY2023 and FY2024 
NOFO Release Date 09/28/2024 
Application Due Date Period 2: 09/30/2024 by 4:00 p.m. MDT via www.Grants.gov 
# of Programs

Stage 1: Planning 
Stage 2: Design 
Stage 3: Construction 
Total Funding Available  A portion of the $60M allocated for the Title XVI program; the total funds available for congressionally authorized projects will be based on final FY24 appropriations. 
Award Minimum N/A
Award Maximum $30,000,000 (based on a maximum of 25% of the expected total project cost) 
Recipient Cost-Share/Match Requirements: A non-Federal cost-share of 75% or more of total project costs is required. 
*This cost-sharing requirement is not applicable to American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands. 
Summary

Planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse facilities that are components of a congressionally authorized Title XVI Project are eligible projects; for a list of authorized projects please visit the Title XVI website at https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/authorized.html – 

  • Municipal, industrial, domestic, or agricultural wastewater; or 
  • Impaired ground or surface waters. 

Additionally, to be eligible, Projects must: 

  • Have a completed feasibility study submitted to Reclamation for review by August 30, 2024, and the completed feasibility studies must be found by Reclamation to meet all of the requirements of WTR 11-01 by November 29, 2024 (dates listed for submittal Period 2); and 

Some Title XVI Projects authorized prior to 1996 are exempt from this requirement. 
Eligible Applicants
  • Sponsors of any one of the 53 Title XVI Projects specifically authorized by the Title XVI statute. Eligible applicants include: 
    • State, Regional, or Local Authorities;  
    • Indian Tribes or Tribal Organizations; or 
    • Other entities such as a water conservation or conservancy district, wastewater district, or rural water district
*Multiple applications for funding may be submitted for consideration under this funding opportunity, provided that the project scopes are not duplicative. 
Special Consideration
  • The costs for preparing and submitting an application or feasibility studies are not eligible project costs. 
  • Proposals submitted may only include costs incurred after the date of Reclamation’s feasibility determination, and within three (3) years from the application deadline for each submittal period. 
  • To the extent possible, environmental compliance will be completed before a financial assistance agreement is signed by the parties. However, in most cases, the award can be completed with the release of funds contingent on completion of environmental compliance and receipt of a written Notice to Proceed from the Reclamation Grants Officer. 
  • Evaluation Criteria includes the extent to which the project demonstrates support for the Presidential Administration’s priorities of Climate Change, serving Disadvantaged or Underserved Communities, and Tribal Benefits. 
  • Project awards will be made through grants or cooperative agreements as applicable. If a cooperative agreement is awarded, the recipient should expect Reclamation to have substantial involvement in the project. 
  • All applicants and projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Davis-Bacon Act and Build America Buy America Act (when necessary, recipients may apply for, and DOI may grant, a waiver for the Build America Buy America Act, subject to review by the Made in America Office). 
Notes

Eligible applicants are invited to request funding for planning, design, and/or construction of projects. 
Estimated Number of Award Agreements: Up to a total of 10 awards for both application periods, depending on the amount requested by each applicant and the amount of Federal funding made available. 
Anticipated Award Dates:

  • Final Application Submittal Period Closes: September 30, 2024  
  • Anticipated notification of successful/unsuccessful applicants: April 2025  
  • Anticipated Award Date: September 2025 
  • Anticipated Project Completion Date: November 2027 
By request, Reclamation can provide technical assistance after the award of a project; assistance should be discussed with Reclamation staff prior to applying. 
Contact Information

Title: Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact - USBR 
Name: Chandrika Nasstrom – cnasstrom@usbr.gov 
Title: Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact - USBR 
Name: Maribeth Menendez – mmenendez@usbr.gov; and (303) 445-2094 
*Please include the NOFO number R23AS00463 in the subject* 

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