WateReuse Celebrates Launch Of The Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Competitive Grants Program

On Thursday, September 7, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announced the launch of the Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Competitive Grants Program, which Congress created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The WateReuse Association helped create the program during the development of the BIL and has worked extensively with BOR to guide its implementation. The program supports communities in developing large-scale water recycling projects with the high-level objective of achieving sustainable water supplies. Through this initial funding opportunity, BOR is making available $180M out of a total of $450M over five years.

The Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Competitive Grants Program provides competitive grants to help communities address water challenges in the West. To qualify for the program, applicants must be located in one of the 17 BOR states and must be:

• a state, Indian Tribe, municipality, irrigation district, water district, wastewater district, or other organization with water or power delivery authority;
• a state, regional, or local authority, the members of which include 1 or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; or
• an agency established under state law for the joint exercise of powers or a combination of entities described in the above bullets.

The total cost of proposed projects must be at least $500M.

To allow time for entities to complete feasibility studies and achieve BOR approval prior to applying for funding, BOR has provided a rolling application period with multiple batching dates, the first of which is November 21, 2023 and the last of which is September 30, 2024. WateReuse members can view full program details and submit an application here.

“In the face of growing water quality and water supply challenges in the Western United States, the Administration is investing in some of the most significant and cost-effective water recycling projects underway in this country,” said WateReuse Association Executive Director Patricia Sinicropi. “WateReuse Association applauds the Bureau of Reclamation on the important progress represented by the Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Competitive Grants Program.”

WateReuse will be working closely with BOR to promote this important opportunity with potential applicants and to ensure that the funds are put to work in a timely and effective manner.

About The WateReuse Association
The WateReuse Association is the nation’s only trade association solely dedicated to advancing laws, policy, funding, and public acceptance of recycled water. Our membership includes utilities that recycle water, businesses that support the development of recycled water projects, and consumers of recycled water. For more information, visit www.watereuse.org.