WRWC approves funding to update 2020 source‑water and watershed protection plan

The Western Regional Water Commission on Feb. 18 voted unanimously to fund an update to the 2020 Integrated Source Water and Watershed Protection Plan, approving a scope of work and financing not to exceed $211,000 for Resource Concepts Inc.

Birgit Whitaker introduced the item and said the original plan has been implemented by regional partners but needs modernizing. "The 2020 integrated source water and watershed protection plan has been implemented by regional partners since its approval in 2015," she said, adding partners told staff it is time for a comprehensive update.

RCIS senior engineer Jill Sutherland told commissioners the update will refresh geospatial analyses and ownership data based on 2019 inputs that are now out of date. "We do have quarterly meetings, and we've heard from the partners that we need an update," Sutherland said, and she pointed commissioners to the program website, washoecountycleanwater.org, for a comprehensive list of prior actions.

Sutherland summarized the planned approach: Phase 1 will engage partners, review public‑water systems and source changes, update mapping and reorganize online content with the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency; Phase 2 will use the assembled data to identify and prioritize projects, improve performance tracking and integrate the plan into regional planning frameworks.

Commissioners asked staff to ensure coordination with regional planning and GIS services; Sutherland confirmed collaboration with the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency. The commission approved the staff motion to proceed and authorized the professional‑services funding by unanimous vote.

The commission did not set a formal amendment to the plan at the meeting; Sutherland estimated the update could be completed by fiscal year 2028 when it returns to participating partners for approval.