WaterNow Alliance

Happy New Year, Colorado Communities! Ready to kickstart your 2025 sustainable water project planning? Apply for Bureau of Reclamation's recently opened WaterSMART funding opportunity! USBR opened the FY25 and FY26 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program (AERP) in mid-December. This funding opportunity is available for projects focused on the study, design, and construction of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and are for the purpose of improving the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage. The first deadline to submit applications is April 15, 2025.  Visit USBR’s website for additional information, frequently asked questions, and to watch the AERP informational webinar at 1pm MT on January 16, 2025.  https://lnkd.in/d8DrAYm     Need assistance getting your application across the finish line? WaterNow can help! Check out our WaterSMART Grant Application Support & Help Desk: bit.ly/3ZxU9oS and fill out our short form to access free application support: bit.ly/469K9EV 

The Local Infrastructure Hub is offering a new set of free resources to help communities win transformative infrastructure funding. More than 90 cities that leveraged the free resources have secured federal funding totaling nearly $315 million. With the help of the #LocalInfrastructureHub, your city could be the next big winner! Register here at https://lnkd.in/gFzSNMYW

Calling Upper Colorado River Basin communities! The Bureau of Reclamation's Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program has opened another funding opportunity to address water issues in the Upper Colorado Basin. The Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation or “B2E2” funding opportunity is accepting applications until January 10, 2025 under the same Request for Applications (RFA) as the previous funding opportunity, Bucket 2 Environmental Drought Mitigation or “B2E” grant. The B2E2 grant will fund projects focused on restoring habitat and aiding species recovery while providing additional water savings benefits to address drought.     Check out USBR’s website for more information on project funding, how to apply, frequently asked questions, and to download the RFA. Visit the website here: https://lnkd.in/dDMb4Z4P     Need help getting your application across the finish line? WaterNow can help! Reach out by filling out this short form bit.ly/469K9EV and visit our website to learn more bit.ly/3ZxU9oS. 

A reminder as we head towards winter break: WaterNow Alliance is looking for part-time Graduate Research Associates for the spring semester! This part-time, volunteer role offers valuable hands-on experience, supporting communities in implementing sustainable water management projects. Learn more and apply today! https://lnkd.in/eYJqRiaw

It's that time of year again: nominations for WaterNow Alliance's 2025 Emerging Leaders Awards are now open! This is your chance to nominate a water utility professional to be celebrated for their work changing the world for the better. The award recognizes mid-level professionals, especially those from backgrounds and identities under-represented in the water space, who have demonstrated leadership to create meaningful change towards environmental sustainability or social equity at their utility. Winners receive a $1,500 stipend to support their continued professional development and have the opportunity to join the Emerging Leader Cohort to connect with peers and attend informational webinars and workshops. Visit our website to learn more about WaterNow’s Emerging Leader Award and submit your nomination! https://lnkd.in/ekFfN-SU

Kick start your 2025 water project planning by checking out our newest blog post on how to fund and finance your sustainable water projects! If you are hoping to implement a drinking water, stormwater, or waste water project next year but aren’t sure how to pay for it, check out this resource which recaps WaterNow’s final Water Webinar Wednesday of 2024. We break down different federal and state funding options, including USBR WaterSMART grants, Colorado State Revolving Fund loans, and US EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans, to help you determine the best funding or financing option for your water project of any scale.  Read the blog here: http://bit.ly/41ztGKH  

The next phase of the FREE #LocalInfrastructureHub bootcamps is now open for registration. Small and mid-sized cities, this is your chance to take advantage of free trainings to develop a winning application for federal grant money for #infrastructure projects. Check out the topics being covered and register today at: https://lnkd.in/gFzSNMYW

WaterNow Alliance is seeking a part-time Graduate Research Associate for the upcoming spring semester. This volunteer role offers graduate students hands-on experience with a fast-growing sustainability nonprofit, providing meaningful tasks and real-world responsibility. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gGp7ZrzY

Only 8 weeks left to apply for Bureau of Reclamation's Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects! Your community can receive up to $125,000 for small-scale, on-the-ground water management projects that seek to conserve, better manage, or otherwise make more efficient use of water supplies. The deadline to submit applications is January 14, 2025. Not enough time to apply? There is another application deadline on July 8, 2025.     Calling Colorado communities! WaterNow can help get your application over the finish line! Check out our WaterSMART Grant Application Support & Help Desk here: bit.ly/3ZxU9oS and fill out our short form to access free application support here: bit.ly/469K9EV    #Water #Efficiency #FederalFunding #Colorado 

Today is #WorldToiletDay, a United Nations observance designed to inspire action on the global sanitation crisis. Did you know that 3.5 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed sanitation? In the U.S. alone, over 1 million households face barriers to safe sanitation due to factors like a lack of indoor plumbing, malfunctioning on-site wastewater systems, and affordability challenges. Communities are addressing these issues through innovative programs that provide financial assistance for septic system repairs, replace outdated toilets with high-efficiency models in income-qualified households, and more. In addition to cutting costs for customers, programs like these also keep local streams, lakes, and waterways clean, protect public health, and conserve water. Want to learn more about resources for communities working toward safe sanitation for all? Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gB2nUGWD #SafeSanitation