Interior Launches New Water Recycling Program with $180 Million by ACWA Staff Sep 12, 2023 Water News WASHINGTON D.C. – The Department of the Interior on Sept. 7 announced the launch of a new large-scale water recycling program and made $180 million in initial funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law available for projects aimed at creating new water supplies that are less vulnerable to drought and climate change, according to a Department of Interior and Bureau of Reclamation news release. In order to allow more flexibility in application, this opportunity has multiple application deadlines in 2023 and 2024. Projects that secure and stretch reliable water supplies for drought-stricken states and communities, provide water quality improvements, reduce impacts on projects owned by federal or state agencies, or provide benefits to disadvantaged, underserved and Tribal communities will be prioritized. More information is available at www.grants.gov by searching “R23AS00433.” The funding opportunity—part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program–is aimed at water management agencies considering or planning larger water reuse projects as part of strategies to address projected water supply shortages. The initial investment of $180 million announced Sept. 7 is part of a total $450 million for this new program. To date, the Bureau of Reclamation has invested $310 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects that advance water recycling and reuse. The new program will incentivize projects at a larger scale, with no cap on project size, and will play an important role in helping communities develop local, drought-resistant water supplies by turning unusable water sources into clean, reliable ones.
