Opportunity Information: Apply for R23AS00433
The WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects grant opportunity (FY 2023 and FY 2024) is a Bureau of Reclamation funding program under the U.S. Department of the Interior designed to help communities stretch limited water supplies, reduce drought vulnerability, and improve long-term water reliability in the Western United States. It sits within the broader WaterSMART framework, which focuses on federal leadership and partnership-driven investments that help avoid conflicts over scarce water by leveraging both federal and non-federal funding. The core idea is to support projects that turn wastewater or other currently underused water sources into reliable new supplies for urban and agricultural users, improving overall system efficiency and resilience as climate pressures intensify.
This funding is provided through the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, originally authorized by Public Law 102-575 in 1992. Title XVI is aimed at providing financial and technical support to local water agencies for planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. In practical terms, this means helping communities build or expand infrastructure that treats and reuses water to supplement existing supplies. The program emphasizes that recycled water can add flexibility during shortages, diversify a region's portfolio of water sources, and create a more dependable supply for growing communities.
What makes this particular opportunity distinct is its focus on very large, capital-intensive recycling efforts. Under the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program, Reclamation can provide up to 25 percent federal cost share for eligible projects, and there is no stated per-project maximum federal contribution. To qualify as "large-scale" under this notice, a project must have a total project cost of at least $500 million. The intent is to support major, high-impact recycling investments that can deliver drought-resistant supplies by converting water that would otherwise be unusable into a dependable resource that is less sensitive to drought and climate change than traditional surface or imported supplies.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity administered by the Bureau of Reclamation (CFDA 15.504) and awards may be made as grants or cooperative agreements. The opportunity number is R23AS00433. The posted award ceiling is $180,000,000, and the agency anticipates making around 10 awards. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the note that applicants should consult the notice's additional eligibility details (typically where Reclamation clarifies which types of local water agencies, districts, or other entities can apply and under what conditions).
The notice is structured as a rolling NOFO with three application submittal periods and a final closing date of September 30, 2024. The first deadline was November 21, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. MST. The second deadline is March 29, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. MDT, and applications submitted after the first deadline and before the second are considered in that second review window. The third and final deadline is September 30, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. MDT, and applications submitted after March 29 and before the final date are reviewed in that last period. This rolling structure allows applicants to submit when they are ready rather than waiting for a single annual deadline, while still grouping submissions into review cycles.
From a policy standpoint, the opportunity is also tied to broader federal climate and equity priorities. The notice explicitly aligns with Executive Order 14008 on tackling the climate crisis and Executive Order 13985 on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities. It also supports the Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain categories of federal investments, including climate-related investments, flow to disadvantaged communities. In effect, Reclamation is signaling that it is looking for projects that not only deliver large volumes of recycled water and improve drought resilience, but also demonstrate meaningful community benefits and equitable outcomes, particularly for communities that have historically faced disproportionate environmental and infrastructure burdens.
Overall, this opportunity is aimed at major water recycling construction efforts that can materially change regional supply conditions by adding a substantial new source of reliable water. It is best suited for applicants with large, well-developed projects that can meet the $500 million minimum total cost threshold, assemble significant non-federal matching funds (given the 25 percent federal cost share cap), and clearly document how the project advances drought resilience, climate adaptation, and community benefit goals consistent with WaterSMART, Title XVI, and Justice40 priorities.Apply for R23AS00433
- The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.504.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 25, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2024 This Rolling NOFO will have three Application Submittal Periods with a final closing on September 30, 2024. The due dates are for each closing period 1) First Application Submittal Period due date is November 21, 2023, at 400 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST). 2) Second Application Submittal Period due date is March 29, 2024, 400 p.m. MDT. Applications received after November 21, 2023, 400 p.m. MST and before March 29, 2024, 400 p.m. MDT, will be considered for the Second Submittal Period. 3) Third and Final Application Submittal Period due date is September 30, 2024, 400 p.m. MDT. Applications received after March 29, 2024, 400 p.m. MDT and before September 30, 2024, 400 p.m. MDT will be considered for the third and Final Submittal Period.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $180,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): WaterSMART Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects (FY 2023 and FY 2024)
What is the WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects grant opportunity?
It is a discretionary Bureau of Reclamation funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior that supports very large water recycling investments. The program is designed to help communities in the Western United States stretch limited water supplies, reduce drought vulnerability, and improve long-term water reliability by developing new, drought-resistant supplies from recycled water.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Reclamation, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What is the broader program context for this funding?
This opportunity sits within the broader WaterSMART framework, which emphasizes federal leadership and partnership-driven investments that leverage both federal and non-federal funding to improve water reliability and help avoid conflicts over scarce water supplies.
What authorization and program is this funding provided through?
The funding is provided through the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, originally authorized by Public Law 102-575 (1992). Title XVI focuses on financial and technical support to local water agencies for planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects.
What kinds of projects does this funding support?
The focus is on large, capital-intensive water recycling projects that turn wastewater or other underused water sources into reliable new supplies for urban and agricultural users. The intent is to build or expand infrastructure that treats and reuses water to supplement existing supplies and improve system efficiency and resilience.
What makes this opportunity "large-scale"?
To qualify as large-scale under this notice, a project must have a total project cost of at least $500 million. The program is meant to support major, high-impact investments that can materially improve regional water supply reliability.
What is the minimum total project cost required to be eligible under this notice?
The minimum total project cost is $500 million.
How much federal cost share can Reclamation provide?
Reclamation can provide up to 25 percent federal cost share for eligible projects under this Large-Scale Water Recycling Program notice.
Is there a maximum federal dollar amount per project?
The notice states there is no stated per-project maximum federal contribution. However, the posted award ceiling for the opportunity is $180,000,000.
What is the posted award ceiling for this opportunity?
The posted award ceiling is $180,000,000.
How many awards does the agency anticipate making?
The agency anticipates making around 10 awards.
What types of awards may be made under this opportunity?
Awards may be made as grants or cooperative agreements.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is R23AS00433.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.504.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The notice indicates applicants should consult additional eligibility details in the full notice, which is typically where Reclamation clarifies which types of local water agencies, districts, or other entities can apply and any conditions that apply.
Where is this program intended to have impact geographically?
The opportunity is designed to improve drought resilience and water reliability in the Western United States.
What is the main purpose of supporting water recycling at this scale?
The core purpose is to create dependable, drought-resistant water supplies by converting water that would otherwise be unusable into a reliable resource. Recycled water is described as less sensitive to drought and climate change than traditional surface water or imported supplies, and it can diversify a region's portfolio of water sources.
How does this opportunity relate to drought and climate resilience?
The notice emphasizes reducing drought vulnerability and improving long-term reliability as climate pressures intensify. By creating a new supply from recycled water, projects can add flexibility during shortages and support climate adaptation by relying on a supply that is generally less sensitive to drought than some traditional sources.
Is this a rolling funding opportunity or a single deadline?
It is structured as a rolling NOFO with three application submittal periods and a final closing date. Applicants can submit when ready, and submissions are grouped into defined review windows.
What are the application deadlines and times?
There are three submittal periods with deadlines at 4:00 p.m. local Mountain time as specified: (1) November 21, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. MST, (2) March 29, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. MDT, and (3) September 30, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. MDT.
How are applications grouped for review under the rolling structure?
Applications submitted after the first deadline and before the second are considered in the second review window. Applications submitted after March 29, 2024 and before the final deadline are reviewed in the last period.
What is the final closing date for submissions?
The final closing date is September 30, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. MDT.
What policy priorities does the notice align with?
The notice explicitly aligns with Executive Order 14008 (tackling the climate crisis) and Executive Order 13985 (advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities). It also supports the Justice40 Initiative.
What is Justice40 and how is it reflected in this opportunity?
The Justice40 Initiative sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain categories of federal investments, including climate-related investments, flow to disadvantaged communities. The notice signals interest in projects that demonstrate meaningful community benefits and equitable outcomes, particularly for communities that have faced disproportionate burdens.
What types of benefits is Reclamation signaling it wants to see in projects?
Based on the notice description, Reclamation is looking for projects that deliver large volumes of recycled water, improve drought resilience and climate adaptation, and demonstrate community benefits and equitable outcomes consistent with WaterSMART, Title XVI, and Justice40-related priorities.
What kind of applicant is this opportunity best suited for?
It is best suited for applicants with large, well-developed construction projects that meet the $500 million minimum total cost threshold, can assemble significant non-federal matching funds (given the 25 percent federal cost share cap), and can document how the project advances drought resilience, climate adaptation, and community benefit goals.
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