Thurston County has secured a $2. 4 million grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to purchase water rights from the TransAlta Water Bank. The funds will buy approximately 800 acre-feet of water — roughly 260 million gallons — and permanently dedicate it back to the Lower Skookumchuck and Chehalis rivers.
One acre-foot equals 325,851 gallons, or about the amount used by two to three average households per year. The county says the purchase represents an innovative approach to meeting state requirements for offsetting the water impact of new permit-exempt wells.
Permit-exempt wells are commonly used by rural homeowners and new residential developments that are not connected to public water systems. By securing these water rights, the county can continue to allow new wells while ensuring river flows are protected.
Separately, the county also received a $489,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Thurston Conservation District, to support salmon recovery planning in South Puget Sound.