Thurston County has secured a $2.4 million grant agreement from the Washington state Department of Ecology to purchase about 800 acre-feet of water rights from the TransAlta Water Bank, the county announced Friday
One acre-foot is 325,851 gallons of water — equivalent to the water use of two to three average households.
“As communities across Washington face increasing pressure on water resources from climate change and development, Thurston County is taking a proactive step to support a growing community and protect rivers, fish habitat and drinking water for decades to come,” the county said in a news release.
The investment represents an innovative way to meet state requirements to offset impacts of new permit-exempt wells and will permanently dedicate water back to the Lower Skookumchuck and Chehalis rivers, strengthening streamflows while supporting responsible growth across the region, the county said.
Following expected approval of the $2,406,457.46 grant agreement by the Board of County Commissioners, Thurston County plans to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with TransAlta. The final agreement, which formally dedicates the water to the rivers, is anticipated to be ready for board review in early 2026.
“This is a defining moment for our community,” said Wayne Fournier, vice-chair of Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners. “With this investment we’re recognizing the fact that water doesn’t stop at the county line. We’re proving we can responsibly reconcile the need for community growth with the fundamental necessity of protecting the health of our watershed and the future prosperity of the people who live here who can rely on this water for generations to come.”
The project stands out as one of the state’s first climate-resilient water rights investments — designed to help river systems remain healthy during hotter, drier summers and more variable streamflows, according to the news release from the county.
The water rights purchase will offset the projected impacts of new domestic wells in the Chehalis Basin through 2040, ensuring continued residential building permitting in Thurston, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties, according to the county.
In addition to meeting state requirements, the project secures extra water beyond what is required, creating tangible benefits for salmon, water quality and overall watershed health, the county stated in the release.
By permanently increasing instream flows, the project supports cooler water temperatures, improved habitat connectivity and stronger resilience for fish and wildlife, while also reducing long-term pressure on shared water resources as the region grows.
“Rather than just reacting to water shortages as they arise, Thurston County is planning ahead,” the county said in the news release. “By securing water now, the county is protecting both the surface water fish rely on and the groundwater that supplies drinking water for most local residents.”
In 2018, the Washington Legislature passed the Streamflow Restoration Act in response to the 2016 Washington state Supreme Court’s Hirst decision, which effectively restricted jurisdictions from approving any new building permits that rely on water wells for domestic use. The act allows for the continued development of these predominantly rural wells, called permit-exempt wells due to the lack of a dedicated water right associated with each one, but seeks to mitigate, offset, or compensate for the water each dwelling uses.
Meeting state requirements is an important step in planning for future growth, but it is only part of a much larger story, the county stated.
“Restoring streamflows and improving habitat depends on working together — across jurisdictions, with partner organizations, and alongside Tribal governments — to protect water resources not just for today, but for generations to come,” the county said in a news release.
County leaders say the investment reflects a broader commitment to protecting the resources that make Thurston County a desirable place to live, today and into the future.
To learn more about Community Planning projects, visit ThurstonPlanning.org.
