Instructions for using the new water rights application portal.
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology has launched a new online Water Right Application Portal, streamlining the application process for individuals and businesses seeking new water rights. This tool allows applicants to apply, pay, sign, and submit applications entirely online, accessible from various devices. According to project lead Chelsea Jefferson, this digital advancement is expected to improve internal processing and offer a more convenient option for those who prefer online services.
The portal provides a faster route for applications to reach Ecology personnel and includes features such as online payment options and application tracking via a dashboard. While traditional paper applications remain available, the new portal simplifies the formerly lengthy paper-based process, which required an 11-page form and a supplemental report.
The Water Right Application Portal was funded by a $163,900 Innovation and Modernization Grant from Washington Technology Solutions. Currently, it is open only for new water right applications, but the Department of Ecology plans to expand it to cover other types, including change applications and aquifer storage. Despite these procedural updates, water availability requirements remain unchanged, with water needing to be both legally and physically accessible before approval.
The Department encourages applicants to schedule a pre-application consultation to assess water availability, a process that typically lasts one to two hours. This consultation helps applicants understand potential water sources before committing to the non-refundable application fees, which can be time-intensive and costly.
This post was originally published on here
