Competition for water resources is growing, and the need for information, tools, and infrastructure to aid water purveyors in meeting customer demands follows close behind. According to a January 17th staff report from the City of Redlands, in order to meet these challenges, the United States Department of the Interior’s WaterSMART program established a framework for Federal leadership and assistance for the efficient use of water, and integrating water and energy policies to support the sustainable use of natural resources.
The report goes on to say, “The WaterSMART, Water and Energy Efficiency Grant Program, objective is to leverage federal and local fiscal resources by cost sharing on projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, facilitate water markets, and carry out other activities to address climate-related impacts on water.”
This WaterSMART grant requires a one-to-one funding match from the city and will assist in complying with the water conservation legislation SBx7-7. The legislation requires water suppliers to increase water use efficiency. As a result a twenty percent reduction in water consumption is required. If an agency cannot reach this mark, they will be ineligible for state grants and all future funding. Redlands included this project in its 2010 urban water management plan because of the legislation that was passed. For more information please click here.