Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects

The Bureau of Reclamation, part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers the WaterSMART Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects program to support water sustainability efforts across the western United States and U.S. territories. This funding opportunity seeks to address growing water supply challenges by leveraging federal and non-federal investments to expand water reuse infrastructure. Through this initiative, the agency works collaboratively with state, tribal, and local entities to improve water reliability, enhance drought resilience, and support long-term water management strategies. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. These projects are intended to develop new sources of clean water by treating impaired or wastewater for beneficial reuse, thereby reducing dependence on traditional water supplies. The program prioritizes projects that increase water supply availability, improve water quality, and provide cost-effective solutions to water management challenges. Eligible projects include both congressionally authorized Title XVI projects and projects authorized under the WIIN Act, with specific requirements tied to feasibility study completion and federal review. Funding is provided through grants or cooperative agreements, with an estimated total program funding of forty million dollars and approximately ten awards anticipated. Applicants may request up to twenty million dollars for congressionally authorized projects or up to forty million dollars for WIIN Act projects, depending on eligibility category. However, federal funding cannot exceed twenty-five percent of total project costs, requiring a minimum seventy-five percent non-federal cost share. Funds may be used for planning, design, and construction activities, but not for routine operations, maintenance, or replacement activities. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, municipalities, irrigation districts, water districts, wastewater districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in specified western states and U.S. territories. Federal agencies, individuals, and institutions of higher education are not eligible. Applicants must also meet specific project eligibility requirements, including completion and submission of feasibility studies within defined timelines, and must comply with federal standards related to environmental review, procurement, and infrastructure sourcing requirements. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple required components such as the SF-424 application form, budget information, project narrative, and supporting documentation. The project narrative must address detailed technical descriptions, project benefits, and responses to merit review criteria. Evaluation is based on a structured scoring system totaling one hundred points, with criteria including increased water supply, water management benefits, economic analysis, alignment with federal priorities, collaborative planning, construction readiness, and cost share contributions. The funding opportunity includes two application submission periods, with deadlines of August 26, 2026, and August 26, 2027. Applicants must ensure all required registrations, including SAM.gov and Grants.gov, are completed prior to submission. Following submission, applications undergo eligibility screening, merit review by a technical committee, and additional risk and managerial reviews. Award notifications are expected approximately six months after submission deadlines, with anticipated project start dates around September 2027 and completion by September 2029. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate with program staff prior to submission and may seek technical assistance during project development. Contact information is provided for both application support and programmatic questions, ensuring applicants can clarify eligibility and submission requirements. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in water reuse infrastructure aimed at addressing long-term water supply challenges in eligible regions.

Emphasize quantified water supply benefits and acre feet outputs; provide strong economic cost effectiveness analysis; align project clearly with federal priorities and drought resilience goals; ensure feasibility study compliance before submission