WaterSMART Desalination Construction Program
Open Opportunities (1)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects Deadline: Aug 26, 2027 · up to $120M
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Desalination Construction Program provides up to 25 percent cost-shared financial assistance for entities to plan, design, and/or construct ocean or brackish water desalination facilities. Desalination projects help communities to diversify their water supply portfolio by providing new sources of local water supply.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
Eligible applicants include States, departments of a State, subdivisions of a State, or public agencies organized pursuant to a state law located within Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Beneficiaries
- Other
Anyone in the general public that benefits from the additional drought resistant water source created, States, departments of a State, subdivisions of a State, or public agencies organized pursuant to a state law previously described in applicant eligibility.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Proposals received in response to the funding opportunity are reviewed through a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the funding opportunity. Reclamation will make awards to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 120 to 180 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects funding opportunity invites eligible applicants to submit proposals for the planning, design, and/or construction of facilities to desalinate seawater or brackish surface water or groundwater. By providing communities with new sources of local water supply, desalination projects diversify the water supply portfolio, increase water management flexibility during times of shortage, and make the water supply more reliable.
Mission Categories
Primary: Community Water Supply
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
This assistance can be used to advance desalination construction projects. Common project activities include planning and pre-final design activities, final design, construction of facilities and conveyance systems.
Restrictions
Each Notice of Funding Opportunity offered under this listing includes specific information about ineligible activities.
Required Documentation
(1) A detailed written technical proposal including information about the applicant and the project, and responses to evaluation criteria including the extent to which the project is expected to secure and stretch reliable water supplies.
(2) A funding plan showing how the applicant will pay for its 75% cost share requirement, and an official resolution adopted by the applicant’s board of directors or governing body resolving that, if selected, it will negotiate and execute a financial assistance agreement with Reclamation.
(3) To be eligible to receive funding, a desalination project must be eligible under the amendments in section 4009(a) of the WIIN Act, which includes a finding that a feasibility study for the project meets program requirements.
Matching Requirements
75% minimum cost-share
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements