Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission Meeting – August 5, 2026

The Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission met on August 5, 2026, at 1:30 PM in the Washoe County Chambers. The meeting included a resolution honoring outgoing Commissioner John Flansburg, a recommendation on the 2026-2046 consensus forecast population and water demand, acceptance of draft chapters of the Regional Water Management Plan (RWMP), and a program manager’s report. All votes were unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Trina McGoon, Director of Utility Services for the City of Reno, expressed appreciation for John Flansburg’s 20 years of city service and 16 years on the commission, noting his instrumental role in advancing regional water initiatives.
• Dave Solero, Assistant County Manager, also thanked Flansburg for his knowledge and contributions to the region.

Discussion Items

• Resolution of Appreciation for Commissioner John Flansburg: The commission adopted a resolution recognizing Flansburg’s service since October 1, 2009. Multiple commissioners and staff praised his leadership, institutional knowledge, and mentorship. Flansburg thanked the commission and noted that the experience was rewarding.
• Consensus Forecast and Water Demand Analysis: Jeremy Smith, Director of TMRPA, presented the draft 2026-2046 consensus forecast. The four sources (Nevada State Demographer, Sean Stoddard/TMWA, Woods & Poole, and S&P Global) were averaged to project a population of 595,292 by 2046 – an increase of about 75,000 from the 2025 estimate of 519,471. The forecast is 15,000–20,000 lower than the previous cycle. Kim Rigdon then presented the water demand analysis: using a per capita demand multiplier, the total projected demand is 111,600 acre-feet per year. The sustainable water resources identified in the 2021-2040 RWMP (Table 2-1) total 192,988 acre-feet annually (including future imports), or 143,800 acre-feet without future imports. The demand is well below both figures, leaving a surplus of 81,388 or 32,200 acre-feet respectively. The commission voted to recommend that the WRWC determine that the forecast population can be supported.
• Regional Water Management Plan Draft Chapters: Kim Rigdon presented revisions to chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8. Key changes include: updating policy WS08 (groundwater recharge) to replace outdated 2001 scoring criteria with modern tools; renaming chapter 3 to “Water Supply Systems”; adding key takeaways to each chapter; reorganizing chapter 3 sections; adding Cold Springs water balance study info to chapter 4; renaming chapter 5 to “Water Quality & Watersheds” and including new figures; and minimal updates to chapters 6 and 8. Commissioner Flansburg noted minor comments he would provide to staff. The commission accepted the chapters with modifications and approved a modified schedule: the remaining four chapters (2, 7, 9, 10) will be presented September 2, 2026; the full plan will be considered by the NNWPC in January 2027 and by the WRWC in February 2027, with a 30-day public review period before adoption.
• Program Manager’s Report: Kim Rigdon reported on FY2026 accomplishments: completion of Phase 1A of the wastewater regionalization feasibility study, with Phases 1B and 1C ongoing; completion of the Cold Springs water balance model (under Washoe County review); TMWA completed over 3,000 water usage reviews; the One Water Nevada STEM education program expanded from 13 to 38 family STEM nights, reaching approximately 3,500 people; and the FY2026 financial report showed a cash balance of $3 million at year-end, with expenditures aligned with prior years.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to adopt the resolution of appreciation for John Flansburg: Passed unanimously.
• Motion to recommend to the WRWC that the 2046 consensus forecast population can be supported by the sustainable water resources identified in the RWMP: Passed unanimously.
• Motion to accept draft chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 of the 2026-2045 RWMP (with or without revisions), authorize staff to post them for public review, and approve the modified RWMP update schedule: Passed unanimously.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for September 2, 2026, at 1:30 PM in the Washoe County Chambers.