The traditional answer to this question would have been to submit an application for a new water right. For the past 20 years or so, that response has become less and less viable. Water availability across the state continues to become more limited. New water rights are usually not readily available.
More and more emphasis is being placed on developing new approaches to water availability. Some examples include:
- building market based process or "water banks" for willing buyers and sellers of
water rights;
- developing storage to provide water during the summer and fall;
- conserving water so more uses or users can be accommodated;
- creating local entities who share water.
Check with your local Ecology office to explore opportunities for new water rights or the status of other availability approaches.