Water Resources

We work to support sustainable water resources management to meet the present and future water needs of people and the natural environment, in partnership with Washington communities. Our vision is to support a thriving ecosystem and communities in the face of climate change while managing water resources that benefit all Washingtonians and protect the natural environment for current and future generations.

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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.

Our Values

We challenge ourselves to continuously improve how we live up to our values of public service, equity, innovation, excellence, and teamwork every day as we steward a natural resource that is essential to the life and wellbeing of current and future Washingtonians.

Public Service

We work for Washington as we balance the needs of people and the natural environment. We are courteous and responsive to customers, build and maintain relationships with the communities we serve, and operate with integrity, honesty, and transparency.

Innovation

We support a forward-looking, solutions-oriented approach to managing Washington’s water resources. We seek to apply the best science, methods, and tools, and we advance opportunities to modernize our state’s approach to water management.

Teamwork

We support one another and partner with communities to achieve our Mission. We build and celebrate inclusive teams, encourage diverse perspectives, and foster strong and respectful relationships with internal and external partners.

Equity

We promote equitable application of our State’s water law and access to state resources. Our work helps overburdened communities and vulnerable populations as we aim to benefit all Washingtonians.

Excellence

We recruit, develop, and retain dedicated, talented staff and hold one another to the highest standard. We are thorough, productive, accurate, and communicative.

The Water Resources program focuses on:

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.

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

Contact information

Central Region

Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan and Yakima
Help desk: 509-575-2597

Eastern Region

Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman
Help desk: 509-329-3400

Northwest Region

Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom
Help desk: 206-594-0193

Southwest Region

Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum
Help desk: 360-407-6300