The Department of the Interior has announced the availability of up to $43.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for small water storage projects aimed at creating new sources of water for communities in the West. Surface water and groundwater storage are critical tools for managing limited water supplies, which are increasingly strained by climate change. These projects aim to enhance water management flexibility, improve supply reliability, and bolster community resilience.

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda represents a historic investment in climate resilience, providing essential resources to help Western communities adapt to drought and climate change. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Reclamation is investing $8.3 billion over five years in various water infrastructure projects, including rural water systems, conservation efforts, dam safety measures, and desalination initiatives. Since its enactment in November 2021, Reclamation has allocated more than $4.2 billion across 586 projects.

“Water is essential to everything we do: feeding families, growing crops, powering agricultural businesses, sustaining wildlife, and safeguarding Tribal subsistence practices,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are working to equip local communities with the infrastructure and resources they need to meet water supply demands and build climate resilience for the future.”

“This funding from the President’s Investing in America agenda helps equip communities with infrastructure needed to develop additional water supplies,” said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “This will help to build local resilience to drought and the impacts of climate change while giving communities flexibility in managing their resources.”

The Small Storage Program, authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, funds projects with a storage capacity between 200 acre-feet and 30,000 acre-feet. The funding opportunity announcement can be found on www.grants.gov by searching for opportunity number R25AS00392. This initiative builds upon $35 million previously announced through the program earlier this year.

Two application periods will be opened under this announcement for eligible projects in 17 Western states as well as Alaska and Hawaii. The first period ends on December 12, 2024; the second concludes on July 15, 2025. Eligible projects must have completed a feasibility study submitted to Reclamation for review before applying during these periods. Project sponsors may submit feasibility studies until April 30, 2025, to qualify for funding under the second application period.

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