The 35th Annual Preeminent Conference on Water Law in Washington

October 29-30, 2026 | Online

This year's conference will bring you up to date on key developments for water law and resource management in Washington.

In April the Governor issued another drought emergency declaration. Karin Bumbaco, Deputy State Climatologist, will walk you through the sector-by-sector implications. You will also hear tools for dealing with the impact of persistent drought on groundwater available for pumping.

When water is tight, water code enforcement becomes more of an issue. Kellie Gillingham, Ecology's Northwest Regional Water Master, will provide insights into effective response strategies and creative settlement approaches. Tight water supplies also generate increased interest in water rights changes and transfers. The second day opens with a current issues panel followed by a case study of Thurston County's grant from Ecology to purchase water rights from the TransAlta Water Bank.

You will hear a status report on the WRIA 1 ("Nooksack") General Water Adjudication and how state budget shortfalls will affect the state's water resource management. On the resource management front for local governments, data center projects are continuing to create new large demands for water. You will hear practical tips for minimizing the impacts through things like building code requirements.

We hope you will join us and your peers and colleagues for this a timely and informative program. Register now to save your virtual seat!