Coordinated Water System Plan - Kitsap County Government

Kitsap County May 9, 2005
Coordinated Water System Plan
Regional Supplement 2005 Revision
(4) Even if ample groundwater is proven to be physically available in Kitsap County
to satisfy the projected long-term public water supply needs, the backlog in
processing water rights and uncertainty of Ecology's policy on hydraulic
continuity and mitigation for impairment of instream flows, makes the availability
of such groundwater for new appropriation uncertain.
(5) Alternative sources, such as reuse and desalinization, are currently significantly
more expensive than groundwater to develop (see Exhibit 9-2).
9.3.2 Water Supply Reservation Procedures
The Water Resources Act of 1971, Chapter 90.54 RCW, sets forth the fundamentals of
the State's water resource policies. The policies are designed to protect and fully utilize
the waters to the greatest benefit of the people of the State of Washington. This Act
directed Ecology to develop and implement a water resources program that provides a
process for making decisions on future water resource allocations and use. Pursuant to
this Act, Ecology adopted Chapter 173-590 WAC, outlining procedures for the
reservation of water for future public water supply.
It is apparent that the efficient development of groundwater resources is the preferred
alternative for meeting future supply requirements. The current uncertainty regarding the
criteria and policies regarding hydraulic continuity between surface water and
groundwater supplies, as well as other factors, may render obtaining permission to use
new groundwater for future needs, difficult or impossible. To conform to the Growth
Management Act (GMA) and plan for future facilities to meet projected population
demands in Kitsap County, a stable water resource management strategy is critically
needed.
Data required for a "Petition for Reservation of Public Waters" was originally prepared
and included in the Draft for the 1992 CWSP. Ecology reviewed the draft reservation
petition data but noted that public water supply reservations are defined as allocations in
the Water Resources Act of 1972, Chapter 90.54 RCW. Therefore, under the Chelan
Agreement, allocations of water can only be accomplished through a regional water
resources management plan.
The Basin Planning Act in 1997 (SB 2514) prescribed that water resource management
and planning be conducted on a Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) or multi-WRIA
basis (Chapter 90.82 RCW). In 1999, Kitsap County initiated the Basin Planning
Process, which is expected to take several years. In 2003, the legislature enacted
modifications that require more detailed evaluations and provisions for future supplies
for all needs. At this time, sufficient information has not been developed to obtain
approval of a water supply reservation. However, as the Basin Planning Process
develops, an evaluation of the advisability of initiating water supply reservations should
be conducted.
Section 9 - Regional Water Supply Plan 9-5