There are approximately 120 existing Group B Water Systems that are overseen by the Environmental Health Division (EHD) and files are maintained on each system. Group B Public Water Systems have 3 to 14 service connections and less than 25 people per day or serves 25 or more people per day during fewer than 60 days per year. A well site inspection is required for these systems prior to drilling a well. EHD reviews and approves Group B Water Systems serving 3 to 9 service connections, which require hiring an engineer to submit a design to this office for review. Group B systems are required to test for coliform bacteria every 12 months and nitrate every 36 months (Water Lab link).
All Group B water systems serving 10 to 14 service connections are reviewed and approved through Washington State Office of Drinking Water (ODW) (these will also require the hiring of an engineer & submittal of a design for review). ODW regulates larger public water systems with ten or more connections, and or water systems serving 25 or more people for 60 or more days under WAC 246-290.
Scott Evans
Environmental Health Specialist II
Group B Water Systems / Drinking Water & Wells
What do I do if I have an Unsatisfactory Water Sample?
Application
Group B Publications
- GHC Ordinance 2017-001
- Group B WAC 246-291
- Group B Design Guideline
- Group B Design Workbook
- How to Hire an Engineer 331-044
Forms
Covenants
- Covenants for Public Water Supply Protection (331-048)
- Restrictive Covenant (example)
- Declaration of Covenant (example)
Additional Resources and Publications
- Revised Total Coliform Rule
- Troubleshooting Checklist for Coliform Bacteria
- Coliform Bacteria and Drinking Water
- Simple Fixes for Wellhead Openings
- Department of Heatlh Coliform Infromation Packets
- Group B Information for Small Water Systems
- Shared Well Agreement (example)
- Choosing a Satellite Management Agency (SMA) for Your Group B Water System
- SMA - Satellite Management Agency List
- Operator Certification List
- Minimum Standards for Construction & Maintenance of Wells WAC 173-160