Water Reclamation and Reuse Program (15.504)

Program

15.504 Water Reclamation and Reuse Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of the Interior
Office: Bureau of Reclamation

Authorization

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5; Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act, Title XVI, Public Law 102-575, as amended; Reclamation Recycling and Water Conservation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-266; Oregon Public Lands Transfer and Protection Act of 1998, Public Law 105-321; Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2000, Public Law 106-544; Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2000, Public Law 106-566; Lakehaven Utilities District, WA, Project, 2002, Public Law 107-344; Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, Public Law 108-7; San Diego Creek Watershed, CA, Project, 2004, Public Law 108-233; Williamson County, TX, Project, Public Law 108-316; Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2005, Public Law 109-70.

Program Number

15.504

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

This Title gives Reclamation general authority to conduct appraisal and feasibility studies on water reclamation and reuse projects. It also provides general authority for research and demonstration programs to test water reclamation and reuse technologies. Reclamation may also participate in construction of reuse projects after congressional authorization of the project. The original Act provided authority to participate in the design and construction of five specific projects in California and Arizona. The 1996 Act authorized 16 additional recycling projects and 2 desalination demonstration projects. Subsequent amendments to Title XVI and other individual acts authorized nine additional construction projects. For ARRA funded projects and in addition to the program objectives above, the Section 3 of the ARRA states the following objectives: (1) To preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery. (2) To assist those most impacted by the recession. (3) To provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health. (4) To invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits. (5) To stabilize State and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases.

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants (Cooperative Agreements)

Uses and Use Restrictions

Reclamation is restricted by law to activities in the 17 Western States, unless otherwise authorized by Congress, as was done by Public Law 106-566, which extended Reclamation's authority to conduct Title XVI investigations to include Hawaii. The nonfederal sponsor must complete a feasibility study, including NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) compliance, complete a cost-share agreement with Reclamation, and furnish a statement of financial capability of the project sponsor to fund the nonfederal share to Reclamation prior to receiving construction appropriations from Congress for the Federal cost share. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs for the constructed project must be furnished by the nonfederal sponsor. Federal contributions for demonstration projects that exceed 25 percent of the cost cannot be made unless the Secretary (of the Interior) determines that the project is not feasible without such Federal contribution. Although the Act provides that Reclamation may furnish up to 50 percent of O&M costs for demonstration projects, it is Reclamation policy not to provide funds for this purpose.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

A legally organized nonfederal entity to sponsor the project is required, such as an irrigation district or a municipality. The applicant must be able to furnish the nonfederal cost share and be able to assume the operation and maintenance of the project upon completion of construction. Research projects may also be undertaken by colleges and universities and architectural and engineering firms.

Beneficiary Eligibility

A legally organized nonfederal entity such as an irrigation district or an organization within a municipality, such as the water department.

Credentials/Documentation

A feasibility report must be completed, either by the nonfederal sponsor alone or with the assistance of the Federal government. A statement of financial capability by the nonfederal sponsor must be provided to Reclamation. This statement demonstrates the capability of the sponsor to fund its portion of the feasibility report, its share of construction costs, and the ability to fund and assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the completed project. A cost-share agreement must be completed with Reclamation before funds can be requested for appropriation for construction. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

An environmental impact assessment or environmental impact statement may be required. It is recommended nonfederal entities contact the appropriate Reclamation office to discuss the processes and procedures for participation. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. An environmental impact assessment is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Discretionary funding opportunities will be posted on Grants.gov. The standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by 43 CFR Part 12, Subparts C and F, must be used for this program. The required documents must be furnished to Reclamation prior to authorization for construction. Upon satisfactory completion of these documents, Reclamation may seek authorization for the project and initiate appropriation requests. Reclamation has limited funding authority for this program, therefore requests for project construction authority may be delayed until a funding request can be made that is within the authorized limit.

Award Procedure

After funds are appropriated, Reclamation will complete the necessary paperwork to transfer funds.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Authorization of a project and appropriation of funds for its construction are dictated by the schedule of Congress with respect to appropriating funds. Because of the limitation on the ability of Reclamation to request funding for this program, delay can be anticipated in requesting funds for construction. Depending on the number of requests for funding, this delay could be several years.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Continuation of funding from one fiscal year to the next to complete a project is at the discretion of the Congress.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula: Title Title XVI, Public Law 102-575. Reclamation can pay up to 100 percent for appraisal level study costs, up to 50 percent for feasibility level study costs, and to 25 percent for research and demonstration projects unless specifically raised to 50 percent. Federal funding for Title XVI construction projects is limited to 25 percent of the total project or a specified maximum amount, whichever is less. The maximum amount varies by project. Generally, all projects authorized after 1996 have a ceiling of $20 million or less; the specific details are available in the authorizing legislation. If a project conducted under the Title XVI Program includes planning, design, and construction, the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act of 1992 (the Act) requires the sponsor to provide at least 75 percent of all the costs incurred, including Reclamation's administrative costs. In addition, the sponsor must pay all operation, maintenance and replacement (OM&R) costs of the project.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

There are no time restrictions placed on the use of the funds and the funds have generally been made available periodically throughout the year on a reimbursable basis. A schedule is planned between Reclamation and the recipient when the cost share agreement is arranged. However, this schedule can be impacted by funds availability during the year. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Information not available.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements are as prescribed by 43 CFR 12, Subparts C and F, as applicable. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Federal Financial Report, SF 425 is required. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

The required records will be specified as part of the audit procedure discussed above.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2011: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-0681-0-1-301 - Recovery Act; 14-0680-0-1-301.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $23,615,000; FY 09 est $39,245,000; FY 10 est $25,000,000. (Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $20,000,000; FY 10 est $115,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range $10,000,000 to $40,000,000; Average $74,286,666.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 43 CFR 12.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation. For addresses, see Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

Will Shop Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Program & Policy Services, Mail Code: 84-52000, P.O. Box 25007, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Email: wshipp@usbr.gov Phone: (303)445-2799 Fax: (303)445-6464

Web Site Address

http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/writing/guidelines/.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2011: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Reclamation will place priority on funding projects that are economically justified and environmentally acceptable in a watershed context, not eligible for funding under another Federal program, and that directly address Administration priorities for the Reclamation program, such as providing instream flows for Federally endangered or threatened species, meeting the needs of Native American communities, and meeting international commitments.

For ARRA funded projects: The purposes of the Recovery Act are, among others, to quickly and prudently commence activities that preserve and create jobs and to promote economic recovery, and to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits. To meet these purposes, Reclamation will allocate funds based on the criteria set forth in the Recovery Act and the accompanying conference report, and will target activities that quickly infuse money into the economy.