Water Resources Research and Technology Development Act

Water Resources Research and Development Act - Title I: General Water Resources Research - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to assist in the establishment of qualified water research and technology institutes at State colleges and universities. Requires that water resources research programs be developed and submitted to the Secretary for approval in accordance with specified criteria.

Authorizes the appropriation of up to $250,000 per year to each participating institute for fiscal years 1978 through 1982. Authorizes additional appropriations of $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 as matching grants to equal, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, funds made available to the institutes from non-Federal sources. Establishes eligibility requirements for such matching grants.

Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 and 1979 for grants and other assistance by the Secretary to other institutes for the conduct of water research projects. Authorizes the Secretary to initiate research assessment, transfer, and information dissemination programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1978 through 1982 to the Secretary to carry out the general purposes of this title.

Repeals the Water Resources Research Act of 1964.

Title II: Research and Engineering Development on Saline and Chemically Contaminated Water - Saline Water Conversion Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of converting saline or other chemically contaminated water into water suitable for beneficial consumptive uses.

Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for research, development, and administrative activities to carry out the provisions of this Title.

Repeals the Saline Water Conversion Act of 1971.