New water rights are issued on a limited basis across the state often due to the increased lack of water availability. Check with your regional Ecology Office for details.
There are several options for acquiring a water right. Water rights can be purchased or leased from other water right holders. Use of those new rights would have to meet legal requirements and be approved by Ecology.
There are also ways to involve a private contractor to process traditional water right applications. Again, check with the regional Ecology Office for details.