May to August 2026 Edition
Department of Ecology’s Washington’s Water Future AWRA-WA members have an opportunity to help inform Washington's long-term water resilience strategy through Ecology's statewide engagement effort focused on drought, water supply reliability, ecosystem health, and climate adaptation. Washington’s water resources are under increasing pressure from drought, flooding, warmer winters, and changing snowpack. In response, Governor Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Department of Ecology have launched Washington’s Water Future, a statewide initiative focused on practical, regionally appropriate approaches to water reliability and resilience. Ecology is convening Tribal governments, local governments, agriculture, utilities, businesses, environmental organizations, and community groups to share local challenges, identify barriers, and explore strategies such as aquifer recharge, reclaimed water, storage, conservation and efficiency, wetland and floodplain restoration, and other region-specific solutions. Public input will help inform future policies, planning, and on-the-ground actions; Ecology also plans to summarize engagement findings later this year and develop recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session. This is an important opportunity for AWRA-WA members to contribute their interdisciplinary experience. Engineers, scientists, planners, and other water professionals can help Ecology understand how hydrology, infrastructure, water rights, permitting, financing, land-use decisions, ecosystem needs, and community priorities intersect—and identify both proven approaches and obstacles to implementation. Upcoming virtual sessions include Housing, Business, and Economic Interests on July 28 at 9:00 AM PT; a general public session on August 4 at 12:00 PM PT; Environmental and Environmental Justice Interests on August 5 at 10:00 AM PT; and Water Utilities and Local Governments on August 13 at 1:00 PM PT. The online survey remains open through August 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT. Visit Ecology’s Washington’s Water Future webpage to register, complete the survey, and sign up for updates. |
