The court's decision did not fully resolve the status of water right certificates issued to municipal water suppliers on the basis of pumps and pipes constructed, rather than water actually put to use. Applications for permits for municipal water supply are required to state the present population to be served and, as near as may be, the future requirements. Any change of place of use must be approved. Within a system of incremental certification and permit development subject to performance standards, changes and transfers of undeveloped water can occur according to regional integrated water supply management agreements or designation of regional water supply utilities, which address streamflows. Agreements are made by public water suppliers and tribes.
Counties can participate.
Agreements are approved by the Department of Ecology, following public comment and consultation with the departments of Health, Community, Trade, and Economic Development, Fish and Wildlife, local government and tribes. Agreements cover streamflows, conservation, reclaimed water, and interties. Agreements are consistent with land use and water supply planning. Ecology approves changes to water rights according to combined service areas. Public utility districts can become regional water supply utilities, which are formed and approved similarly to regional integrated water supply management agreements.