New operating permit required for Group B water systems
Kitsap County Washington sent this bulletin at 10/03/2019 02:00 PM PDT
Oct. 3, 2019
New operating permit required for Group B water systems
An annual operating permit will be required for all Group B public water systems in Kitsap County beginning on Jan. 1, 2020. The Kitsap Public Health Board established the new permit as part of a revised Drinking Water Ordinance approved in 2018.
Group B water system managers will receive a notice in November that payment is due for their system's 2020 operating permit.
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding this new requirement. More information is also available at KitsapPublicHealth.org/GroupB or by calling the Drinking Water & Onsite Sewage Program inspector of the day at (360) 728-2235.
What are Group B water systems?
Typically, they are small, community water systems that serve between 2 and 14 residential connections. In the past, they were referred to as “Class IV” water systems. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, these systems will be required to have an annual operating permit issued by the Health District. There are approximately 850 Group B water systems in Kitsap County, providing water to over 4,000 households. They are considered public water systems based on service, not ownership.
Is this a new requirement? Why have I not heard of this before?
Yes, the annual operating permit is a new requirement that has been introduced as part of the Health District’s 2018 revised Drinking Water Ordinance. The operating permit requirement is applicable to both existing and new Group B water systems.
Why is the Health District implementing this requirement?
The Health District has legal responsibility to perform public Group B water system administration, which includes data collection and records maintenance; responses to public complaints, inquiries and records requests; and technical assistance for Group B water systems. The Health District incurs some costs to administer any public Group B water system – even those in compliance. These efforts cost the Health District approximately $65,000 annually.
What kind of permit will I receive?
Water systems that are in complete compliance (record of water system approval, current monitoring results, no outstanding compliance issues) will be issued a standard operating permit. Water systems with outstanding issues will receive a conditional operating permit that will note the water system is out of compliance with the regulations.
How will I acquire the necessary permit?
The water system owner/manager will be sent an operating permit invoice by the Health District. Invoices for the 2020 operating permit are expected to be sent in late 2019, as the Health District is still developing the permit system. The Health District will provide an online payment system or a mail-in option.
What is this going to cost? What do I get for the fee?
The cost of a Group B water system annual operating permit is $75. For a typical system of four households, the cost equates to $19 a year when the cost is shared equally per household.
Eric Evans, RS | Manager Drinking Water & Onsite Sewage Program 345 6th St., Suite 300 | Bremerton, WA 98337 (360) 728-2235 eric.evans@kitsappublichealth.org