HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.12.2025 PW SS Briefing KITTITAS COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT
STUDY SESSION DATE: May 12, 2025
TOPIC: Domestic and Municipal Water Rights Needs Assessment Grant
ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to Staff
LEAD STAFF:
Arden Thomas
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to prepare enabling documents.
BRIEFING SUMMARY:
• Kittitas County is a member of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource
Management Plan("Integrated Plan").
• One goal of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management
Plan is to meet domestic and municipal water supply needs. In other words,water
for homes and communities.
• The Public Works Water Resource Manager serves as the Chair for the Integrated
Plan municipal subgroup.
• The municipal subgroup has developed a work plan to conduct a water rights
needs assessment and to utilize this information to inform outreach efforts.
• Public Works proposes to hold a $150,000 grant from the Department of Ecology
to implement the municipal subgroup work plan.
BACKGROUND:
The Integrated Plan was created to meet the water supply needs of fish and wildlife,
farmers during dry years, and growing communities. The Integrated Plan has established
the Municipal Subgroup to promote the domestic and municipal water supply goals. The
County's Water Resource Manager leads this subgroup.
The municipal subgroup has developed a work plan to:
• Conduct a legal water right vulnerability and needs assessment for a subset of
group A and B water providers within the Yakima Basin; and
• Utilize this information to guide outreach efforts with water suppliers.
The project will be supported by consultants and funded through a$150,000 grant from
the Department of Ecology. There is no match requirement.
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Public Works"Work Session Staff Report",2025
DISCUSSION:
This assessment will not only include Kittitas County municipal water providers but will
also cover Yakima and Benton County providers. The results will help identify practical
steps the Integrated Plan can take to better meet the water needs of local communities.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Costs will be covered by the Department of Ecology grant and have been included in the
Water Resources Program's 2025 budget.
Page 2 of 2
Public Works"Work Session Staff Report",2025