Table of Contents

• Member Highlight

• Recent & Upcoming Events

• AWRA-WA Basin Sponsors

May to August 2026 Edition

Recent & Upcoming Events

AWRA-WA continues to deliver strong educational and networking opportunities through webinars, tours, and conferences that connect water professionals across the state.

AWRA Washington Chapter Events Update: A Season of Momentum
By Katherine Taiclet past-president

As we move into the heart of summer, the AWRA Washington Chapter Events Committee is building on a strong spring and an exciting lineup of programming ahead. Our goal remains to create opportunities for connection, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth across Washington’s diverse water resources community, and 2026 has already delivered on that promise.

A Busy and Impactful Spring

Over the past several months, AWRA-WA hosted a diverse mix of webinars, tours, student chapter events, and networking opportunities, bringing together professionals, students, and partners from across the region.

We kicked things off with the AWRA–Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Student Chapter lunchtime webinar, offering valuable cross-chapter perspectives and strengthening our connections with the broader AWRA network. Thank you to Dr. Don Duke for mentoring up-and-coming water professionals.

In May, Central Washington University hosted an in-person dinner speaker event featuring Becca Wassell, providing an engaging forum for discussion and networking in an academic setting.

We also explored restoration and policy topics through several well-attended events:

• A webinar on the Bateman Island Project, highlighting local restoration efforts and collaborative approaches;

• A timely session on Water Quality Trading in Oregon and implications for Washington State, presented by Rob Annear (Senior Principal, Annear Water Resources), which sparked thoughtful discussion on market-based water quality solutions;

We rounded out the month with the University of Washington Student Chapter Spring Event, where speakers Monte Mills and Tom Ring led discussions that bridged law, policy, and water management throughout their careers.

June continued the momentum with two standout offerings:

• Washington State Department of Ecology legislative update delivered by Noah Wetzel, Legislative & Policy Planner, helping attendees stay current on policy developments affecting water resources;

• Cedar River Watershed Tour, graciously organized by board members Hannah McDonough and Kensey Daly. Hosted by Seattle Public Utilities and brought together 13 participants from across Washington, including Wenatchee, Spokane, Yakima, and Bellingham, for an inside look at one of Seattle's primary water supplies. Led by Matt Porter and Belinda Chin, attendees explored Chester Morse Lake and key watershed infrastructure while learning about SPU's operations, drought response strategies, and the watershed's rich history. Highlights included discussions of drought-era pumping operations and 9,000-year-old archaeological features revealed by receding lake levels, underscoring the area's enduring cultural significance to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. Special thanks to Matt and Belinda for an informative and engaging tour.

July has been one of our strongest attendee months yet.

• July 9 – Department of Health and Department of Ecology Water System Plan Memorandum of Understanding Webinar, attracting 105 registrants.
  Moderated by George Onwumere (DOH), with presentations from Austin Melcher (ECY) and John Freitag (DOH), provided valuable insight into the agencies' coordinated review process and its benefits for water systems across Washington.

• July 16 – Managing Thermal Habitat in Ballard Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal, drawing 59 registrants. Paul M. Graig, P.E., Principal Consultant, DSI, LLC, explained how the agencies coordinate their respective roles in reviewing water system plans. The updated agreement and joint review procedures are intended to make the planning process more efficient for public water systems while supporting safe and reliable drinking water, protecting senior water rights, and safeguarding the environment.

Summer Programming

We are carrying this energy into the summer with a strong lineup of timely and technically rich webinars:

• July 28 – Ecology Drought Update – Presented by Caroline Mellor (ECY), Statewide Drought Lead, Department of Ecology.

• August 11 – The Time is Now to Protect Our Invaluable Hydropower System - Presented by Clark Mather, Director, Northwest River Partners

• September 9 – The Role of Volunteer and Nonprofit Organizations in Local Wate rQuality Efforts - Presented by Eric Adman, President, Sno-King Watershed Council

These sessions will continue to highlight critical issues facing Washington’s water systems, including infrastructure coordination, ecological connectivity, and drought conditions. Read more about upcoming events with registration at www.waawra.org/Events/Calendar.

Fall and Beyond

As we look toward the fall, planning is well underway for some of our largest and most anticipated events:

• Annual State Conference 2026 on Emerging Issues – October 8 at the Mountaineers Club
  This flagship event will bring together experts and practitioners to explore pressing and evolving water challenges. Registration is open!

• AWRA 2026 Annual Water Resources Conference – November 9-11 at Hilton Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. Moving Beyond 250—Crossing Boundaries to Build a More Water-Secure Future.  AWRA-WA members interested in exchanging ideas with colleagues from across the country are encouraged to attend; registration is open, with the Super Saver deadline on August 21.

• Annual Meeting and Board Vote – December TBD – A key opportunity for members to engage in chapter governance and reflect on the year’s accomplishments.

In addition, we are developing several new events to round out the year:

• Ag Producers Water & Land: Changing Landscape Collaboration (Douglas County)

• King County WLRD Tour: Green Stormwater Infrastructure

• Ice Age Floods Field Tour above Cle Elum Lake

These offerings are designed to span geographies and sectors, ensuring that our programming reflects the full breadth of water resource issues across Washington.

Thank You and Get Involved

The success of our events is made possible by the dedication of our speakers, volunteers, student chapters, and attendees. I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has participated so far this year. Whether you presented, volunteered behind the scenes, sponsored an event, or registered as an attendee, your engagement and support make these programs possible. I'd also like to extend a special thank you to those who elected to include the $5-$10 voluntary donation when registering for our complimentary programs. Those contributions may be modest individually, but collectively they help strengthen our chapter and support continued opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration across Washington's water resources community. Every contribution helps us keep the momentum flowing.

If you have ideas for future events, would like to collaborate, or are interested in getting more involved with the Events Committee, we welcome your input. Together, we can continue to build a vibrant and inclusive community around water resources in Washington State.

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event. Visit us atwww.waawra.org or contact us at web@waawra.org

I would also like to extend a special thank you to my colleagues on the Events Committee for their continued engagement, collaboration, and generous contributions of time and expertise. Reach out to any of us to volunteer your time by hosting or sponsoring an event.

• Greg McLaughlin, Washington Water Trust
• Hannah McDonough, Washington Water Trust
• Jason McCormick, McCormick Water Solutions
• Katherine Taiclet, Grant County PUD
• Kensey Daly, Jacobs PE
• Kory Swabb, Jacobs PE
• Lisa Reyman, Department of Ecology
• Megan Balkovic, MHB Services, LLC
• Nathan Cutler, EKI Environmental & Water, Inc.
• Noah Wentzel, Department of Ecology
• Soo Ing-Moody, Douglas County
• Tom Mathis, Landau Associates, Inc.
• Tom Ring, Water Champion (retired)

Also, a shout-out to Greene Economics for sponsoring our webinar series.