While it is a separate entity from GMD5, Central Kansas Water Bank Association (CKWBA) is operated from the same office by the same staff.

Water Banking originated out of the Quivira/Rattlesnake Creek Partnership Plan as part of a collective effort to reduce water use in that basin. The water banking concept was also added to the Middle Arkansas Subbasin Plan as a tool to address the water use issues in that basin. As the program developed, it became apparent that it could be applied in all the basins of GMD5.