Provides that, if a local government finds that water for a proposed new development is available through an existing, publicly owned water system, but the system lacks sufficient water rights for the development, the water system may consolidate with its water rights any additional water needed for the proposed development, provided that the total amount of additional water consolidated is less than five thousand gallons per day. (See also HB 1375).   Official Text and Analysis.

Adds a specific condition that the public water system has to be in compliance with certain water use efficiency rules adopted by the Department of Health. Requires the public water system provide to the Department of Ecology metered water use information for the new development to serve as the basis for quantification of the consolidation.

Establishes that, if a local government determines that potable water is legally available for a new domestic use under either the permitted or permit-exempt groundwater statute, and that legally available water could be provided through an existing group A or group B public water system that lacks sufficient water rights for the proposed new development, the water system may consolidate with its existing water right the additional quantity available necessary to serve the new development. The total amount of additional water consolidated into an existing water system may not exceed 5000 gallons per day but the provision of this water must comply with rules adopted under the 1971 Water Resources Act, water use efficiency and drinking water rules adopted by the Department of Health and the State Board of Health, and applicable requirements of the ground water transfer code. Additionally, the public water system must provide to the Department of Ecology metered water use information for the new development to serve as the basis for quantification of the consolidation of the water rights.