American Water Resources Association, Washington Section upcoming events

Webinar: Water Quality Trading in Oregon and What it Means for WA State (19 May 2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Webinar:

Water Quality Trading in Oregon and What it

Means for WA State

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

12:00 to 1:00 PM PT | Virtual Event

Many rivers in the Pacific Northwest are 303(d) listed for excessive water temperatures threatening ESA listed species. Water temperature TMDLs have been developed for many of these rivers and thermal loading limitations have been put on dischargers. In 2016, Oregon DEQ launched a water quality trading program to help mitigate thermal impacts, especially for projects with a nexus to rivers supporting ESA-listed species. Numeric temperature standards in Oregon require rigorous assessment and mitigation of thermal impacts. Initial water quality trading allowed wastewater treatment plants, through their NPDES Permits, to develop thermal trading plans to mitigate thermal loading. DEQ is now using this program for projects with a nexus to rivers with ESA listed species, including new surface water intakes for drinking water, which must seek a 401 Water Quality Certification for potential thermal impacts.

The Washington Department of Ecology issued Water Quality Trading Guidelines in 2011, but up until March 2018, when Ecology drafted a short white paper, there have been no successful trading plans. A recent proposed legislation, WA HB1290, focuses on NPDES holders who are discharging into waterbodies with a water temperature TMDL.

The talk will cover the OR water quality trading program; its current application to wastewater discharges through NPDES Permits and water withdrawals through the 401 Water Quality Certification process and how it compares to WA’s program and what can be learned for the benefit of WA’s program and recent legislation.

Presenter:

Rob Annear, Senior Principal, Annear Water Resources

Rob is an environmental engineer with 29 years of experience in hydrodynamic and water quality modeling (1D/2D/3D) across rivers, reservoirs, estuaries, and coastal environments. His work spans regulatory permitting, TMDLs, ESA/CERCLA/RCRA/NRDA/FERC compliance, drinking water, lake management, and climate change studies. He has served as an Expert Witness in hydrology, water rights, and water resources modeling cases. In addition, he has 5+ years experience teaching college courses, and 15+ years teaching water quality modeling workshops.

Participation Details:

You will receive a link to participate via a Microsoft Teams meeting the day before the event.

Registration Fees:

Registration is free with a suggested donation of $10. We are non-profit, and your donation helps us provide events and programming. Thank you for supporting AWRA-WA!

Thank you to Greene Economics for sponsoring the event!

AWRA-WA 2026 Washington State Legislative Update (03 Jun 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:15:00 GMT

Washington State Legislative Update

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

12:15 to 1:15 PM PT | Virtual Meeting

Please join us for a virtual lunch meeting to hear about recent updates from the Washington State legislature. Noah is the Legislative Coordinator for the Department of Ecology's Water Resources Program, and he'll be presenting on legislative activity on water resources topics and related issues during the 2026 legislative session.

Presenter:

Noah Wentzel
Legislative and Policy Planner, Water Resources Program
Department of Ecology

Participation Details:

You will receive a link to participate via a Microsoft Teams meeting the day before the event.

Registration Fees:

Registration is free with a suggested donation of $10. We are non-profit, and your donation helps us provide events and programming. Thank you for supporting AWRA-WA!

Thank you to Green Economics for sponsoring the event!

AWRA-WA Cedar River Watershed Tour (26 Jun 2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:45:00 GMT

Cedar River Watershed Tour

Friday, June 26, 2026 | 9:45 AM - 1:30 PM PT

The AWRA Washington Section invites you to join a tour of the Cedar River Watershed! Student chapters and professionals are encouraged to attend and network.

Photo Credit: Seattle Public Utilities

The Cedar River Watershed supplies drinking water to 1.6 million people in the Seattle metropolitan area, protecting one of the region’s most vital natural resources. This behind the scenes tour offers a rare look at the masonry dam, reservoir, and upper watershed, where snowpack, geology, and forest management all shape the water that ultimately reaches our taps. Along the way, you will learn how Seattle Public Utilities monitors and manages this 90,000 acre watershed, and how shifting climate patterns influence the future of our water supply. Bring your questions about snowpack, hydrology, and watershed stewardship to explore this carefully protected landscape. You can learn more at Cedar River Watershed - Utilities | seattle.gov.

Location & Parking:

17905 Cedar Falls Road SE, North Bend, WA 98045. There is a parking lot near the Education Center. Click here for directions or download a PDF.

Attendee Details:

Registration is limited to 20 attendees.
Plan to arrive no later than 9:45am.
If you are driving, there is ample free parking at the Education Center.
You will be aboard an SPU van for the tour - a staff member will provide escort.
Water and Gatorade is provided.
Have comfortable footwear (covers entire foot - no slides, sandals, CROCS, open toes, etc) that allows you to walk on uneven ground.
Dress for the weather, i.e. the temperature at Cedar River Municipal Watershed can be 10 degrees cooler than downtown Seattle.
Porta potties will be available on the tour.
Bring lunch, snacks, water, etc with you given the closest services are in North Bend.
Optional: bug spray (mosquitoes!) and sunscreen.

Registration Fees:

$5 registration fee. This small fee helps secure your spot on the tour and supports AWRA WA’s event planning and programming. Thank you for helping us keep these events possible. Space is limited, so register ASAP.

Questions?

For questions or directions, call or text Hannah McDonough at (206) 900-3689.

AWRA-WA 2026 Washington State Drought Update (28 Jul 2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:15:00 GMT

Washington State Drought Update

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

12:15 to 1:15 PM PT | Virtual Meeting

Please join us for a lunch meeting about drought conditions in Washington. Caroline is the Statewide Drought Lead for the Department of Ecology’s Water Resources Program, and she’ll be providing a primer on drought in Washington, an overview of drought conditions in 2026, and considerations for future years.

Presenter:

Caroline Mellor
Statewide Drought Lead
Department of Ecology

Participation Details:

You will receive a link to participate via a Microsoft Teams meeting the day before the event.

Registration Fees:

Registration is free with a suggested donation of $10. We are non-profit, and your donation helps us provide events and programming. Thank you for supporting AWRA-WA!

Thank you to Green Economics for sponsoring the event!

AWRA-WA Annual State Section Conference 2026 (08 Oct 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Save the Date!

Make plans to join us for the AWRA-WA Annual State Section Conference.

Theme: The Future is Now: How the emerging issues of the recent past have come to define our water-scarce present.

When: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (program); 5:00 - 6:30 PM (networking reception)

Where: Mountaineers Seattle Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA

Description: A quarter of the way through the twenty-first century, we find ourselves in a changed landscape of water resource management in Washington. Widespread difficulty obtaining new water supplies to support population growth inhibits sustainable and affordable development. New competing demands for water to support clean energy development, data centers, and other emergent technologies are stressing existing water supplies and suppliers even further. Meanwhile, four consecutive years of snowpack drought have fundamentally revised our expectations of future water supply availability. And the increasing occurrence and severity of acute weather events (such as heat domes and atmospheric rivers) have unbalanced the historical hydrograph away from periods of peak demand.

The 2026 AWRA-WA State Conference will bring together water professionals, policymakers, engineers, scientists, lawyers, students, and regulators to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead through thought-provoking sessions and candid discussions.

Why Attend?

Hear from leading experts and decision-makers shaping Washington's water future.
Engage in open conversations to learn from past efforts and shape smarter strategies moving forward.
Gain actionable insights and strategies for navigating uncertainty and change.
Expand your network with water resource professionals from across the state.
Your registration includes a 2027 AWRA-WA membership and directly supports chapter events, student fellowship program, and this conference.

New ideas, new voices, and diverse expertise are essential right now. Whether you’re just entering the industry or bringing years of expertise, be part of the conversations shaping the future of water management in Washington State.

Registration, speakers, and session details are coming soon.

Download a PDF of the conference flyer and share across your network!

Thank You to AWRA-WA Sponsors!

American Water Resources Association, Washington Section upcoming events

Webinar: Water Quality Trading in Oregon and What it Means for WA State (19 May 2026)

Webinar:

Water Quality Trading in Oregon and What it

Means for WA State

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

12:00 to 1:00 PM PT | Virtual Event

Registration Fees:

Thank you to Greene Economics for sponsoring the event!

AWRA-WA 2026 Washington State Legislative Update (03 Jun 2026)

Washington State Legislative Update

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

12:15 to 1:15 PM PT | Virtual Meeting

Registration Fees:

Thank you to Green Economics for sponsoring the event!

AWRA-WA Cedar River Watershed Tour (26 Jun 2026)

Cedar River Watershed Tour

Friday, June 26, 2026 | 9:45 AM - 1:30 PM PT

AWRA-WA 2026 Washington State Drought Update (28 Jul 2026)

Washington State Drought Update

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

12:15 to 1:15 PM PT | Virtual Meeting

Registration Fees:

Thank you to Green Economics for sponsoring the event!

AWRA-WA Annual State Section Conference 2026 (08 Oct 2026)

Save the Date!

Make plans to join us for the AWRA-WA Annual State Section Conference.

Basin Sponsors

Watershed Sponsors

Stream Sponsors