About this program

The WaterSMART Drought Response Program invites eligible applicants to submit proposals for projects designed to improve drought resilience by developing effective water management strategies and drought contingency plans. Funding supports infrastructure improvements for increased water storage and distribution, water source diversification, water management decision tools, and comprehensive planning for drought preparedness.

Eligibility

• Eligible Entities Category A Applicants • States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts
• • State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority
• • Other organizations with water or power delivery authority. Category B Applicants • Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A. Ineligible applicants include: Federal Governmental entities, individuals, and institutes of higher education Eligible Activities Proposed projects should aim to reduce the need for emergency drought response actions while providing sustained benefits that build long-term resilience. Funding is structured under two task areas: Task A: Infrastructure Projects: • System modifications or improvements , such as constructing surface water intakes to access supplies when water levels are low, new conveyance system components (pipelines, canals, pumping plants, etc.) to increase delivery flexibilities, or installing barriers to prevent saltwater intrusion into surface supplies. • Storing water and/or recharging groundwater supplies , such as developing off-stream storage ponds, installing water towers and storage tanks, installing recharge ponds or injection wells, etc. • Developing alternative water supply sources through the treatment and reuse of surface water and reclaimed water , such as constructing stormwater capture and reuse systems like raingardens and bioswales, or installing residential grey water and rain catchment systems. • Groundwater recovery and treatment projects , such as constructing or rehabilitating a well to provide back-up water supplies during times of drought, constructing an aquifer storage, or treating impaired water. Task B: Water Management and Planning Projects • Developing water management, water marketing, and modeling tools to help communities evaluate options and implement strategies to address drought. This includes developing online decision support tools to help communities identify alternative water supplies, installation of monitoring equipment to accurately track water supply conditions, developing water budgets and pricing programs that incentivize decreased consumptive use, and more. • Developing or updating Drought Contingency Plans. Proposed Drought Contingency Plans should be divided into two phases: • Phase I includes the establishment of a drought planning task force, development of a detailed work plan, and development of a communication and outreach plan. • Phase II begins after the work plan is accepted by Reclamation. In Phase II, the planning lead develops the plan or plan update including the required Drought Contingency Plan elements

Geographic eligibility

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