Miles SmithThe Bureau of Reclamation is investing $105 million in 67 water conservation and efficiency projects intended to enhance drought resilience across the nation.
Through its WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant program, the bureau is investing in projects that include rural water, water storage, conservation and conveyance, nature-based solutions, dam safety, water purification and reuse and desalination.
The projects, which are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Wyoming, will help ensure the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River Basin in the wake of severe drought by strengthening climate resilience and facilitating water conservation.
“Access to clean, reliable water is essential for feeding families, growing crops, sustaining wildlife, and powering agricultural businesses,” said Laura Daniel-Davis, acting deputy secretary of the Department of the Interior.
Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed in 2021, Reclamation has announced $4.2 billion for 575 projects.
The latest round of projects receiving funding are expected to save more than 111,000 acre-feet of water annually, the DOI said, enough water to supply approximately 447,000 people for a year.
Projects include:
- $5 million to the Coachella Valley Water District in California. The grant will help with expanding an existing water conservation incentive program that offers residents rebates to replace high-water consuming turf with low-water use desert friendly landscaping, and rebates to upgrade inefficient water-use devices such as toilets and washing machines. The grant will also help provide opportunities for energy customers to upgrade inefficient evaporative coolers with more energy-efficient models and with upgrading approximately 5,000 meters with automated meter infrastructure meters, allowing for enhanced leak detection and more accurate customer use data.
- $4.86 million to the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board. The El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board, located in El Paso County, will install a 4.35-megawatt solar array to offset current energy use at the Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant. The Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant uses tertiary treatment to produce reclaimed water at drinking water quality level. This reclaimed water replenishes the Hueco Bolson aquifer, as well as supplies the El Paso Electric Company, the Painted Dunes Golf Course, the City of El Paso’s Northeast Regional Park, Bowen Ranch, and several construction contractors. The project is expected to result in annual water savings of 298 acre-feet, which would have otherwise been lost to fossil-fuel based energy generation to power the plant, Reclamation said.
- $1.25 million to the City of Idaho Falls to conserve water by installing new commercial water meters. The City of Idaho Falls, Idaho will install 250 water meters at commercial properties. Installing meters will allow the city to implement a billing structure that will charge according to use and incentivize consumers to be more water efficient. The installation of meters will also allow for early leak detection within the system. The project is expected to result in annual water savings of 595 acre-feet, which will help reduce groundwater pumping, Reclamation said.
Photo by Luis Tosta on Unsplash
