Grant County Strategic Water Collaboration Session Marks First Major Public Discussion on the W20 Project
- Jan 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 23
January 2, 2026 | Moses Lake, WA
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, immediately following the 2025 Grant County LEAD Summit, local leaders and regional partners convened for a Strategic Water Collaboration Session hosted by Grant County Commissioner Rob Jones at the Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial Building. The session provided a focused opportunity to advance collaborative, locally driven water solutions for Moses Lake, Grant County, and the greater Columbia Basin.
The meeting brought together representatives from local governments, federal partners, irrigation districts, and regional organizations to explore ways to better coordinate water infrastructure planning for breakthrough outcomes. Discussions emphasized the importance of aligning municipal, industrial, agricultural, and environmental interests to strengthen long-term water reliability and regional resilience.
A key milestone of the session was the first major public presentation of the W20 Project, delivered by Kevin Richards of the Port of Moses Lake. Introduced as a potential water supply project designed to deliver maximum regional benefits, W20 was presented as a locally led, collaborative initiative focused on strengthening water reliability, improving water quality, and enhancing the long-term performance of the Columbia Basin Project.
Developed through close coordination among local stakeholders, the W20 Project represents a rare set of win-wins—supporting municipal and industrial water needs, delivering significant water quality improvements, maintaining reliable water supplies for agriculture, and providing lasting environmental benefits. Perspectives from Marc Maynard, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, helped answer general questions about Columbia Basin Project operations.
The Strategic Water Collaboration Session concluded with a shared commitment to continued coordination and next steps, underscoring strong regional interest in advancing locally driven solutions that are designed to serve the Columbia Basin for generations to come, with the W20 Project at the forefront.
