Water for America - System Optimization Reviews

System Optimization Reviews

Water for America Initiative Grant Funding Opportunity Available for System Optimization Reviews - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Bob Johnson has announced that a funding opportunity is now available online at www.grants.gov for fiscal year 2009 under the Water for America Challenge Grant Program. Reclamation is seeking proposals for system optimization reviews, which provide a broad look at system-wide efficiency focused on improving efficiency and operations of a water delivery system, water district, or water basin. Press Release

The funding opportunity was announced on 10/31/08 and closes on Jan 28, 2009.

See grants.gov (CFDA number is 15.507, Funding Announcement # 09SF811468) for information.

System Optimization Reviews are the newest program to Water for America . A System Optimization Review is a broad look at system-wide efficiency focused on improving efficiency and operations of a water delivery system, water district, or water basin. The Review results in a plan of action that focuses on improving efficiency and operations on a regional and basin perspective. Those improvements may then be eligible for application to the Challenge Grant program for funding.

A Review contains the following steps:

Information Gathering - gather existing information about the system
Collect New Data (if necessary)
Identify Issues and Priorities - identify water management issues to be addressed by the recipient
Set Goals - establish goals relative to water conservation, water management, water marketing, and preventing conflicts over water
Identify and Evaluate Potential Improvements - identify potential projects, including costs and benefits
Define a Plan of Action - recommend a sequence and strategy for implementation of improvements
Prepare a Final Report

Applicants must:

Include an irrigation and/or water district, tribal water authority, state governmental entity with water management authority, or entities created under state water law with water delivery authority within the 17-western states
50/50 cost-share
Up to $300,000 Federal cost-share
Completed within 24 months

Applications are reviewed and ranked by a Technical Proposal Evaluation Committee.

May 2008 Grants - On May 27, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced $1.8 million in grants to water districts for ten projects to improve delivery systems in California, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah. Including matching contributions of non-federal partners, the selected projects represent a combined investment of more than $3.77 million.

List of FY 2008 Grants

FY2007, 2008 FOA-CLOSED DEC. 4, 2007, for review purposes only (1.2 MB PDF)

News Releases

Water for America Initiative Grant Funding Opportunity Available for System Optimization Reviews (11/3/08)

Secretary Kempthorne Announces $1.8 Million in Grants to Water Districts to Improve Delivery Systems (5/27/08)

Secretary Kempthorne Announces New Grant Program under Water 2025 (8/30/07)

Back to Grants Page

Water Marketing and Efficiency Grants

Last updated: 1/12/09