OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Ecology has launched a new app to help water right applicants apply for new water rights from their phones, desktops and other devices.
The department stated that the Water Rights Application Portal will expedite the submission of water rights requests to Ecology personnel. Applicants will be able to pay online, and the portal does not require a supplemental report, simplifying the process compared to the previous 11-page paper form. Additionally, applicants can track the status of their applications through an online dashboard.
“The online application portal provides our customers with the ability to fill out a water rights application, pay, sign, and submit online,” said Chelsea Jefferson, project lead for the Water Rights Application Portal. “I am proud of all the work that went into the online portal, and I am optimistic that these advancements will improve internal processes and offer a welcome option for customers who prefer online resources.”
The portal is now open for new water rights applications and will eventually accommodate all types of applications, including change applications, seasonal changes, reservoir permits, managed aquifer recharge, and aquifer storage and recovery.
The department emphasized that while the application process has been modernized, the requirements for obtaining water rights have not changed; water must be both physically and legally available before a water right can be granted.
To save time and money, the department strongly recommends a pre-application consultation before applying for a water right. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss projects with Water Resources staff and explore potential water supply options before incurring nonrefundable fees and filing an application. Water rights can be complex and costly to obtain, and the process may take years. The average pre-application meeting lasts one to two hours.
