Water Security and Drought Resilience Act

This bill seeks to bolster water security and drought resilience across Reclamation States by amending existing water infrastructure legislation and establishing new grant opportunities. It expands the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for water storage projects under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, making additional projects eligible for funding and requiring distribution across multiple states. The legislation also reauthorizes and modifies the small storage program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It clarifies project eligibility, specifying criteria for both surface/groundwater storage and groundwater recharge projects, with capacity ranges from 200 to 150,000 acre-feet. This program's authority is extended from 5 to 10 years, with an authorization of $20,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2033 . Furthermore, the bill creates a new grant program for natural water retention and release projects , designed to increase water availability through methods like aquifer recharge and floodplain retention, using natural materials and mimicking natural processes. Eligible entities, including states, tribes, and water districts, can receive grants with a federal cost-share of up to 90 percent, and $15,000,000 is authorized annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 . All programs emphasize the distribution of funds among multiple Reclamation States and clarify that the bill does not supersede existing water laws or infringe on water rights.