Drinking Water

The Drinking Water Program reviews and coordinates approval of all new Group B public water systems. In addition, Public Health staff issues the Water Availability Verification (WAV) for all individual, Group B, and Group A water systems for building and sewage permits. 

Click HERE to download related applications and guides.

Individual Water System

Individual water systems are private wells serving only one single family residence, or two residences on the same parcel of property.

Public Water System (Two Party, Group B and Group A)

Any well or water system that serves more than one connection, is considered a public water system.  There are several different types of public water systems. Group B water systems serve fewer than 15 connections and fewer than 25 people per day.  Group A water systems serve 15 or more connections, or 25 or more people per day for 60 or more days per year. 

The Island County Drinking Water program focuses resources on the water systems of highest public health benefit by investigating and recommending corrective action for drinking water contamination and complaints.  Public Health staff emphasize prevention of contamination through source protection and technical assistance to public water systems.

Individual Water System

Island County Public Health approves individual water systems for drinking water sources.  Well site inspections must be performed by a licensed well driller, or by Public Health staff, before the well site can be approved.  Staff issues water availability verification for building and sewage permits. 

Click HERE to download related applications and guides.

Two-Party Water System

Island County Public Health approves two party water systems for drinking water sources.  Well site inspections must be performed by Public Health staff before the well site can be approved. 

Public Health staff reviews well site approval, water system design packets, informational materials for operation and maintenance, and water conservation methods.  In addition, staff issues water availability verification for building and sewage permits. 

Click HERE to download related applications and guides.

Group A Water System

Regional Engineers with the State DOH are responsible for the implementation of the state’s drinking water program in assigned counties. They conduct sanitary surveys and special purpose investigations of public water systems and promote needed water facility improvements. They also review and approve water system plans and specifications for system improvements and provide technical assistance to purveyors and local health departments upon request. The DOH Regional Engineer for Island County works out of the Northwest Regional Office in Kent.

For Group A water systems (15 or more connections), Island County Public Health staff issues water availability verification for building and sewage permits.  All other Group A water system requirements are in the jurisdiction with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and not with Island County Public Health. 

The Washington State Department of Health's Regional Engineer for Island County is Denis Mehinagic. He can be reached at (253) 395-6764 or denis.mehinagic@doh.wa.gov

Group B Water System

Island County Public Health approves Group B public water systems for drinking water sources.  Group B Water Systems have 3 to 14 service connections.  Well site inspections must be performed Public Health staff before the well site can be approved.   Public water systems must meet requirements for location, source adequacy, system design and construction, initial testing and on-going monitoring and maintenance.

For Group B water systems with 3 to 14 connections, Public Health staff reviews well site approval, water system design packets, informational materials for operation and maintenance, water conservation methods, legal agreements, management contracts and completes inspection of system installation.  In addition, staff issues water availability verification for building & sewage permits. 

After systems are established, the drinking water program administers and enforces drinking water quality standards for Group B water systems with 3 to 14 connections. This is accomplished through water quality monitoring and system operation.

Click HERE to download related applications and guides.