GOVERNOR SIGNS AQUIFER STORAGE BILL INTO LAW

Governor Gary Locke signed ESSHB 2867 into law on March 24th. The new law provides domestic water purveyors an opportunity to store water in underground aquifers. Under ESSHB 2867, water would be stored, and subsequently withdrawn, under the authority of a reservoir permit, the same regulatory mechanism under which water currently is stored in above ground storage facilities, such as water storage tanks and surface reservoirs.

The new legislation is a result of collaborative efforts of the Department of Ecology and interested water purveyor and environmental groups, spearheaded by the Lakehaven Utility District. Lakehaven targeted legislation of this nature as a result of the ability to store large amounts of water in the aquifers underlying the District's service area. The storage and recovery of ground waters within the local area has been extensively studied by Lakehaven in the development of its' OASIS Project ("Optimizing Aquifer Storage for Increased Supply"). The project is viewed by many in the water supply industry in the Puget Sound area as one of the most significant tools to manage critical water supply problems within the region.

"This bill is the culmination of many years of work in the area of water recharge and will allow us to store water, at times when it is abundant, for use in peak demand periods, when it is most needed." notes Board member Don Miller, a long time District representative to the South King County Regional Water Association "We have demonstrated the hydro-geological ability to store and recover water, this now gives us the legal authority to pursue OASIS for the benefit of our customers and neighbors alike". Ed Stewart, another Lakehaven Board member and representative to the South King County Regional Water Association adds, "as with the development of other water storage projects like the Howard Hanson Dam expansion, water storage through the OASIS program is one of the important tools to maintain a healthy supply of water for the future of this region.

Lakehaven is appreciative of the efforts of local elected representatives in shepherding the bill through the Legislature, where it passed both houses with unanimous approval.

Beverly Tweddle, Lakehaven Board President, comments "the support of Representatives Mark Miloscia, one of the bill's sponsors, and Maryann Mitchell, was crucial to developing the approval of this legislation in the House. Senator Tracey Eide worked very hard to ensure that this bill would gain acceptance in the Senate. Their collective leadership was the key to the passage of the bill, a difficult task in Olympia recently for any water rights legislation". The District also would like to thank Representative Kelli Linville, the bill's primary sponsor, for her valuable work on the bill.

If you have any questions or concerns related to this information, contact Steve Pritchett, Lakehaven General Counsel at 253-946-5428.