Every Drop Counts Act

This bill, called the Every Drop Counts Act, widens a federal grant program so more small water projects in western states can get funding. It adds projects that store water underground, move water to or from storage, and help steady falling groundwater levels. It also continues the program for five more years, so communities can keep building and improving local water storage.

To qualify, a project must be small to mid-sized. It can store 200 to 30,000 acre-feet of surface or groundwater, or it can recharge 200 to 150,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year on average over the life of the project. Projects that move water to or from storage are also eligible. The bill makes clear it does not change state or federal water laws, water rights, interstate compacts, or treaties, and it does not let the federal government take water.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Communities and water managers in certain western states seeking grants for small water storage or groundwater recharge projects.
• What changes: More types and sizes of storage and groundwater recharge projects can get grants; projects can include moving water to or from storage; protections for existing water laws and rights remain.
• When: The grant program’s authority is extended for five more years.