Water banking grants

Grant funding will be available to projects located in an eligible county. The second grant round application period opens Aug. 1, 2023.

Communities in rural basins are increasingly concerned with the potential impacts of large water right transfers that move water rights far downstream and out of the basin. Once a water right is transferred downstream, it is difficult to later transfer that water right back upstream. This new funding will help eligible applicants develop local water banks and protect streamflow in rural counties. One-third of all water rights acquired under this program will be set aside strictly for permanent instream use to support streamflows and aquatic resources.

Information for potential applicants

Grants will fund the development of water banks in eligible counties. Funds will be used to purchase water rights ready for purchase as part of a water banking project proposal.

Grant awards may not exceed $4 million per applicant. At a minimum, applicants must demonstrate the following eligibility requirements to qualify for grant funding:

• Status as a public entity or in a formal partnership with a public entity
• Sufficient capacity and expertise to set up and operate a water bank
• A valid interest to purchase a specific water right that is adequate for use in a water bank and agree to change the water right’s purpose of use to instream flow and mitigation as part of the project
• Agree to set aside one-third of the purchased water right for instream flow benefiting fish and wildlife

Applications are being accepted

We are accepting applications from August 1, 2023, until all funds are awarded, or until the funding opportunity ends on June 30, 2025.

• See our 2023-2025 water banking pilot grant guidelines.
• The water banking pilot grant funding page has more information on how to apply.

Sign up to our email list for updates and announcements.

Consultation meetings

We are offering consultation meetings for potential applicants to discuss the details of their water banking project with agency staff before submitting an application. We will meet requests in the order they are received and cannot guarantee meetings within a certain timeframe. See grant guidelines for additional information. 

To request a consultation meeting, email WaterBankingGrants@ecy.wa.gov.  Include “meeting request” in the subject line of your email.

Public comment opportunity

As grant applications are submitted for funding consideration, we will post summaries of water bank proposals for a 30-day public comment period. We will review all comments received.