The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
The WaterSMART Title XVI Program, under the U.S. Department of the Interior and authorized by Public Law 102-575 in 1992, offers financial and technical assistance for the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. This initiative addresses water scarcity in the Western United States by encouraging water recycling, thereby enhancing water efficiency, providing flexibility during shortages, and diversifying water sources. These projects align with the goals of the Justice40 Initiative, aiming to ensure that 40% of the benefits from federal investments in areas such as climate and clean energy reach disadvantaged communities. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for congressionally authorized projects seeking cost-shared funding for their development. The NOFO outlines funding availability, Buy America Act preferences, and specific requirements for applicants, detailing how they can access funds for FY 2023 and potential future appropriations.