Western Regional Water Commission

View this Topic Paper as a PDF: WRWC

What is the Western Regional Water Commission?

The Western Regional Water Commission’s (WRWC) vision is to “sustain our community’s quality of life through efficient total water management.” Participants in this planning process include City of Reno, City of Sparks, Sun Valley General Improvement District (SVGID), Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA), Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility and Washoe County. Another elected official is also appointed by the TMWA Board as TMWA is the successor to the South Truckee Meadows General Improvement District (STMGID) since STMGID merged into TMWA on December 31, 2014).

Mission Statement:

The WRWC will lead a cooperative approach to stewardship of our region’s water resources through:

  • Developing and implementing an integrated water resource plan
  • Building understanding and trust among all stakeholders
  • Establishing water resources public policy

How was the WRWC started?

One of the bills introduced in the 2007 Nevada Legislative Session, Senate Bill (SB) 487, proposed to create a new regional water resources entity in Washoe County, excluding Gerlach and Incline Village. The minutes of the 2007 Nevada Legislative Session regarding this law and a copy of the law is posted here: www.leg.state.nv.us/74th/Reports/history.cfm?ID=1191.

This new entity voted to change the role of the existing Regional Water Planning Commission, making it a technical advisory group and re-naming it the Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission (NNWPC). The WRWC is responsible for adopting and implementing recommendations from NNWPC, which includes implementing a comprehensive water plan.

Facts about the WRWC:

  • Consists of a nine-member governing board comprised of two members from each of the following: City of Reno, City of Sparks and Washoe County, with one of each coming from the TMWA Board. There is also one member each from Sun Valley General Improvement District, South Truckee Meadows General Improvement District and Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility.
  • Funded from the 1.5% Regional Water Management Fee, collected on all water bills in the Truckee Meadows since 1995.
  • Has authority to set policies governing water service areas.
  • Has a voting structure of the governing body that is by the majority vote with an opt-out provision for member entities that do not wish to participate in a particular capital improvement project.