Bureau of Reclamation Urban Programs

Bureau of Reclamation protects local economies and preserves natural resources and ecosystems through the effective use of water. Reclamation is the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier, operating 337 reservoirs with enough storage to provide water to 245 million families. Many western cities originally came to exist through the development of Reclamation water projects—including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boise, and Sacramento.  But growth in the western United States is putting an increasing strain on a diminishing water supply. To meet the challenges of today and the future, Reclamation is developing strategies to manage and deliver water more efficiently to satisfy the many needs of irrigation, municipalities, power, and the environment.  It is also working in partnerships with states, Tribes, water and power customers and others to seek creative and collaborative solutions to water issues.

Programs

The WaterSMART Program works cooperatively with states, tribes, and local entities to pursue a sustainable water supply for the Nation, including water efficiency projects located in urban areas and watersheds, through administering grants, conducting scientific studies, and providing technical assistance and scientific expertise.