WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects

The WaterSMART Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects program, administered directly by the Department of the Interior, provides funding for the planning, design, and construction of significant water recycling initiatives. To be eligible, projects must focus on reclaiming and reusing municipal, industrial, domestic, or agricultural wastewater, as well as impaired groundwater or surface water, with a total project cost of at least 500 million dollars. The program emphasizes the creation of reliable and cost-effective water supplies, the reduction of water diversions, the mitigation of environmental and water quality issues, and the fostering of collaborative partnerships. Funding is distributed through competitive discretionary grants and cooperative agreements, covering key areas such as infrastructure, resilience, hazard mitigation, and general environmental planning. While the program is currently closed and pending its next funding cycle, it remains a primary vehicle for large-scale water infrastructure improvements. The program is categorized under NAICS code 237110, reflecting its focus on heavy and civil engineering construction.