Investing in Drought Resilience, Consumptive Use Mitigation Grant Opens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2026

CONTACT:
Stacey Hanrahan
Communications & Outreach Specialist
Office: (717) 238-0423, ext. 1314

Investing in Drought Resilience

Consumptive Use Mitigation Grant Opens

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Building a more drought-resilient Susquehanna River Basin takes planning, partnerships and investments in water supplies. To support that work, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is now accepting applications for its 2027 Consumptive Use Mitigation Grant Program, with approximately $4 million to $6 million available for projects that improve water availability during dry weather and drought.

The competitive grant program supports projects that offset the impacts of consumptive use - water that is used but not returned to the river basin. Since its launch in 2022, the program has supported nearly 100 projects, from water conservation and storage improvements to stream restoration and groundwater recharge.

This year's grant round places particular emphasis on projects that strengthen the basin's ability to withstand dry conditions and drought, including those that:

• Recharge groundwater by helping stormwater soak into the ground, replenishing underground water supplies and sustaining streamflows during dry periods.
• Increase water reuse to reduce overall water consumption and preserve available supplies.
• Protect critical recharge areas by preserving lands where water naturally infiltrates the ground and replenishes aquifers.
• Expand water storage to provide additional water supplies when streamflows decline.

"Drought resilience is something we build before the next dry spell," said SRBC Executive Director Andrew Dehoff. "By supporting projects that conserve, recharge, and store water, we're helping communities make the most of this essential resource while protecting the streams and aquatic life that depend on it."

An advantage of the program is that its grant dollars come from neither federal nor state funding sources. This creates valuable opportunities to leverage SRBC grant awards as matching funds for other programs.

Eligible applicants include SRBC-approved project sponsors, government entities, tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education. Individual awards of $100,000 or more are anticipated, with a minimum 20% cash match required. While projects in watersheds facing high consumptive use or limited water availability are prioritized, proposals from other areas of the basin will also be considered.

Applications will be accepted through January 29, 2027, at 4 p.m. EST.

To help prospective applicants, SRBC will host an informational webinar on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 11 a.m. The webinar will provide an overview of the grant program, eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and application process, along with an opportunity to ask questions. Participants are encouraged to register for the webinar by November 16.

For complete program guidelines, application materials, and information on previously funded projects, visit SRBC's Consumptive Use Mitigation Grant Program webpage .

About the Susquehanna River Basin Commission

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for promoting the wise, equitable and sustainable management of the water resources within the 27,500 square-mile Susquehanna River Basin without regard to political boundaries. The Susquehanna rises and flows through New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland into the Chesapeake Bay. For more information on the Commission, visit srbc.gov.