Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects
🏛 Bureau of Reclamation
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for public agencies, Indian tribes, state and local governments, and water districts seeking to develop water reclamation and reuse infrastructure projects. The program supports construction and feasibility studies of non-federal water reclamation and reuse projects that reduce overall water demand, increase water supply reliability, or improve water quality. Projects must be located on federal reclamation project lands or within reclamation project service areas, and applicants typically must provide local cost-share funding (generally 50% non-federal match). Eligible activities include planning, design, and construction of recycled water systems, including treatment facilities, conveyance infrastructure, and end-use applications in agricultural, municipal, or industrial sectors.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non- Federal funding to work cooperatively with States, Tribes, and other entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply and hydropower reliability. The WaterSMART Program demonstrably advances Trump administration priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14154 (January 20, 2025): Unleashing American Energy (E.O. 14154) and Secretarial Order 3418, and aligns with other priorities and requirements, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14332 (August 7, 2025): Improving Oversight in Federal Grantmaking (E.O. 14332). The WaterSMART Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects NOFO invites eligible applicants to submit proposals for the planning, design, and/or construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. Title XVI projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse, which provides growing communities with new sources of clean water, increases water management flexibility during times of shortage, and makes the water supply more reliable.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing project scope, objectives, location, and connection to reclamation project
- Feasibility study or preliminary engineering report
- Cost estimate and budget narrative
- Letters of support from local agencies, municipalities, and water districts
- Evidence of non-federal cost-share commitment and funding sources
- Environmental review documentation or NEPA compliance plan
- Water savings or supply reliability analysis
- Regional water plan or strategic alignment documentation
- Organizational capacity and team resumes/qualifications
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Reclamation
- 📧 bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
- 📞 tbd
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.504 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$125,472,855
-
$90,478,357
-
$30,000,000
-
$30,000,000
-
$29,963,104
-
$29,935,300
-
$29,900,000
-
$29,900,000
-
$29,900,000
-
$27,600,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 58 awards $753.2M
- UT 5 awards $41.6M
- TX 9 awards $33.1M
- NV 2 awards $31.0M
- HI 2 awards $21.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.504). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2023 | $291,465,855 | |
| 2025 est. | $365,550,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $250,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse funding?
Eligible applicants include federal agencies, state and local governments, Indian tribes, water districts, public agencies, and reclamation districts with jurisdiction over water resources. Projects must be located within or benefit a federal reclamation project area.
What is the typical non-federal cost-share requirement?
Applicants typically must provide a 50% non-federal cost-share, though this may vary by project type. Funding from other federal sources generally cannot be used to satisfy the non-federal match requirement.
What types of projects are funded?
The program funds feasibility studies, planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse infrastructure. Eligible projects reduce water demand, increase water supply reliability, improve water quality, or support agricultural and municipal water reuse.
How competitive is this funding?
Competition is typically moderate to high. Applications are evaluated on project readiness, cost-effectiveness, environmental benefits, and consistency with regional water plans. Strong local partnerships and demonstrated community support strengthen competitiveness.
What is the typical funding range per project?
Award amounts vary widely depending on project scope and complexity, ranging from several hundred thousand dollars for feasibility studies to multiple millions for construction projects. Total program funding varies annually.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate clear nexus to a federal reclamation project and explain how your project benefits the larger reclamation area or service region.
- Secure local cost-share commitments early and document them thoroughly; unreliable or in-kind matches can weaken your application.
- Quantify water savings, supply reliability gains, and environmental benefits using data from hydrologic studies, water demand projections, and environmental assessments.
- Align your project with state and regional water plans, drought contingency plans, and other strategic water management documents to show consistency with broader policy goals.
- Assemble a strong project team with demonstrated experience in water reclamation design and construction; include letters of support from water agencies and municipalities that will benefit or participate.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack a clear connection to federal reclamation project service areas or do not sufficiently demonstrate how the project benefits the reclamation system. Another common issue is underestimating project timelines or permitting requirements; applicants should realistically assess environmental review, permitting, and construction schedules. Weak cost-share documentation—including vague or unsecured local funding commitments—frequently results in rejections or reduced scores.
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