Water Resources

An obligation to future generations

Historically, Washington residents have enjoyed an abundance of water, but water availability is no longer a given.

Population growth and economic development are fueling increased demands for water. These demands are often in conflict with the need to restore stream flows to save fish from extinction, and the pressures of climate change and warming temperatures increase the need to address these challenges.

As competing demands and environmental threats to water resources loom larger than ever, there is increasing public awareness of water supply issues across the state. We are committed to meeting the challenges and working creatively and collaborative to address current and future water needs of people, farms, and fish.

The program's work

The Water Resources program focuses on:

• Monitoring statewide water supply
• Managing water supply projects and water recovery solutions
• Overseeing water rights
• Streamflow restoration
• Protecting streamflows
• Regulating well construction and licensing
• Ensuring dam safety

The program also includes the Office of Columbia River, which is working to meet the water needs of cities, industry, farms, and fish in Eastern Washington.

Committees and work groups

The program convenes and supports several committees and work groups:

• Water Resources Advisory Committee, a forum about water resources management in Washington
• Water Transfer Working Group, which reviews and authorizes water right transfer proposals in the Yakima River basin
• Well Construction Technical Advisory Group, which develops and revises well construction statutes and regulations
• Water Supply Availability Committee, a group of experts who evaluate statewide water supply conditions

Laws, regulations, and policies

Our work is guided by the following regulations, laws, rules, policies, and case law:

• Water resources laws - RCW's
• Water resources rules - WAC's
• Water right and dam safety policies and procedures
• Court cases