Water for America
Challenge Grant Program
The most effective aspects of the previous Water 2025 Program will be incorporated into the Water for America Challenge Grant Program. Specifically, Water Marketing and Efficiency Grants and System Optimization Review Grants (SORs) will continue under the Water for America Initiative. In addition, two new types of grant opportunities are being developed – grants that promote advanced water treatment (Advanced Water Treatment Grants) and grants to benefit Federally listed species and prevent the decline of Candidate species (Species of Concern Grants). These Challenge Grants will focus scarce Federal funds to provide the greatest benefits to the West and Nation.
For additional information about the System Optimization Review Grants and the Water Marketing and Efficiency Grants please visit the Water 2025 Website.
The Advanced Water Treatment Grants will provide funding for pilot or demonstration projects that will test the viability of advanced water treatment technologies. These grants will help create new water supplies to address water supply imbalances. Advanced water treatment technologies generally include methods that remove salt, other difficult to remove dissolved and suspended matter, including viruses and bacteria that are not removed by conventional treatment (i.e., simple screening, coagulation/flocculation, chlorination, chloramination, or ozonation). Anticipated proposals include projects to demonstrate reverse osmosis membranes, pre-treatment processes, concentrate disposal, or other advanced water treatment processes. The purpose of these projects is to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of using an impaired water source within a specific locale. These grants will not be available for the construction of a full scale plant.
The Species of Concern Grants will provide funding for proposals that will benefit Federally listed species that are affected by a Reclamation facility or action, and that benefit Federally recognized candidate species. These grants will provide an avenue for collaboration with stakeholders and will encourage actions to improve the status of a species before a water supply is threatened. Grants to benefit a Federally listed species are limited to ESA listed species that are affected by a Reclamation facility or action. Grants that will benefit a candidate species are not limited to those species affected by a Reclamation facility or action. Anticipated proposals include fish screens, studies, monitoring, fish bypass, habitat restoration, and vegetation management.
Last Updated: 7/1/08