Several technical assistance programs across the U. S. Department of Energy already exist that touch on issues connected to the Water Security Grand Challenge.

Better Buildings Initiative, Sustainable Wastewater Infrastructure of the Future

The Better Buildings Sustainable Wastewater Infrastructure of the Future (SWIFt) Accelerator works with state, regional, and local agencies that are engaging with water resource recovery facilities in their jurisdiction to accelerate a pathway toward a sustainable infrastructure. The Accelerator aims to catalyze the adoption of innovative and best-practice approaches in data management, technologies, and financing for infrastructure improvement. Partners will seek to improve the energy efficiency of their participating water resource recovery facilities by at least 30% and integrate at least one resource recovery measure.

Better Buildings Initiative, Better Plants  

Better Plants is partnering with leading manufacturers and water utilities to improve energy efficiency and competitiveness in the industrial sector, saving money in the process. Through Better Plants, partners voluntarily set a specific goal, typically to reduce energy intensity by 25% over a 10-year period across all of their U.S. operations. Participants in the water sector include the City of Phoenix Water Services Department, Avon Lake Regional Water, Charleston Water Systems, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the Philadelphia Water Department, the St. Petersburg Water Resources Department, the New York Department of Environmental Protection – Bureau of Wastewater Treatment, the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, and the Sheboygan Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Advanced Manufacturing Office, ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard Ready Program

The U.S. Department of Energy's 50001 Ready program recognizes facilities and organizations that practice ISO 50001-based energy management. The program does not require any external audits or certifications, and is a self-paced, no-cost way for organizations to build a culture of structured energy improvement that leads to deeper and sustained savings. 50001 Ready partners with utilities and other organizations that support and facilitate the implementation of 50001 Ready energy management systems. Des Moines Water Works became the first U.S. water treatment utility to certify a plant to the ISO 50001 standard in the Superior Energy Performance® program in 2018.