Description

The objective of this NOFO is to invite sponsors of eligible water reuse projects to request cost-shared funding for planning, design, and/or construction of those projects. A NOFO for congressionally authorized Title XVI projects is being released separately.The U.S. Department of the Interior’s (Department) WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to stretch and secure water supplies for future generations in support of the Department’s priorities. Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to support stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water.Through the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program (Title XVI), authorized byP.L. 102-575 in 1992, Reclamation provides financial and technical assistance to local water agencies for the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. Water recycling is an important tool used to stretch limited water supplies in the Western United States. Title XVI projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse—thereby improving efficiency, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply. These projects provide growing communities with new sources of clean water which increases water management flexibility and makes water supplies more reliable. The Title XVI Program also provides support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and aligned with other priorities, such as those identified in E.O. 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. The WaterSMART Title XVI Program will advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Established by E.O. 14008, the Justice40 Initiative has made it a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments, such as climate, clean energy, and other areas, flow to disadvantaged communities. Title XVI water projects are an important part of the WaterSMART Program.Eligible Projects:Planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse facilities that are eligible for funding under Section 4009(c) of the WIIN Act, P.L. 114-322, are eligible projects. To be eligible for funding under this NOFO, the project must have a completed Title XVI feasibility study submitted to Reclamation for review by November 7, 2023, for applications submitted under the first submittal period and by August 30, 2024, for applications submitted under the second submittal period. Completed feasibility studies must be found by Reclamation to meet all of the requirements of WTR 11-01by January 19, 2024, for applications submitted under the first submittal period and by November 29, 2024, for applications submitted under the second submittal period.If a feasibility study has been reviewed by Reclamation and found to meet the requirements of WTR 11-01, but the review findings have not yet been transmitted to Congress, Reclamation will transmit those findings to Congress either before project selections are made or concurrently with project selections. Eligibility does not entitle a project to any future Federal funding or create a new project authorization.The project MUST be located in one of the following States or territories: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands.All applicants should review the Full Notice of Funding Opportunity Document attached under the Related Documents tab above this statement.The Document provides full guidance and additional information on the application development process.