The Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) for Fiscal Year 2025 is part of the Department of the Interior’s WaterSMART Program, administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. This program supports projects that improve water conservation, enhance water management planning, and increase water reliability across the Western United States and Pacific Islands. It aims to help communities address local water conflicts and adapt to drought conditions, aligning with federal priorities such as climate resilience and advancing equity.
The program offers cost-shared financial assistance for activities like developing and implementing water conservation plans, conducting System Optimization Reviews (SORs) to identify water management improvements, designing and implementing those improvements, and conducting demonstration projects to enhance understanding of conservation techniques. These initiatives align with Executive Order 14008, which addresses climate change, and Executive Order 13985, which promotes racial and economic equity.
Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority. Applicants must be located within the Lower Colorado Basin (LCB) or the State of Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, or the Northern Mariana Islands. Entities such as federal governmental organizations, higher education institutions, individuals, and 501(c)(6) organizations are ineligible to apply.
The program has a total funding allocation of $500,000, with individual awards ranging from $1 to $100,000. A cost-sharing component is required, with applicants expected to contribute matching funds. Applications must be submitted electronically by February 3, 2025, at 4:00 PM PST.
