Group B Rulemaking

August 2009

Group B Public Water Systems

The state Department of Health's Office of Drinking Water and local health agencies share responsibility for regulating Group B public water systems in Washington.

Group B water systems serve fewer than 15 connections and fewer than 25 people per day. The state’s 13,000 Group B water systems serve about 110,000 people. That’s about 2 percent of our population.

Group B water systems are regulated under chapter 246-291 of the Washington Administrative Code. We have developed guidance documents to assist you in complying with the rule and for designing a water system.

Legislative Change — New Direction for Rulemaking

This year, the Legislature changed the law to allow the State Board of Health (Board) to adopt rules for Group B water systems that do not require ongoing water quality monitoring. The Board also received authority to exempt water systems with fewer than five residential connections from all requirements.

Next Steps

We will be meeting with stakeholders and our local health partners this summer and fall. We need to hear the wide variety of opinions about how to best oversee Group B water systems. Then, based on what we hear in the conversations, we will develop draft rule language to share with the public in April 2010.

Rule Development Timeline

You can join the Group B Water System Information ListServ (special e-mail list) to receive updates.

If you need more information, contact our Policy and Finance Section:

David Christensen, Policy Unit Supervisor and Rule Lead (360) 236-3153

Theresa Phillips, Rules Coordinator (360) 236-3147