Group B water systems are generally small businesses with fewer that 25 employees or they can also be water systems with 3 to 15
residences connected to them. Oversight for Group B water systems is provided by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
Office of Drinking Water. One of the administrative codes that apply to Group B water systems is
WAC 246-291. DOH can be contacted
at their Regional Office.
Newly proposed Group B water systems require well site approval
(Snohomish Health District performs well site inspections, please contact our office for the current public well site inspection fee) as
well as source and plan approval by the DOH Regional Engineer for Snohomish County.
Health District staff also provide technical assistance to operators of existing Group B water systems that are experiencing
bacteriological contamination or other technical challenges. Operators may request assistance by contacting our office at 425.339.5250 or
e-mail.
Group B water system operators in Snohomish County are required to sample their drinking water annually for coliform bacteria and for
Arsenic and Nitrate every three years. SHD sends an annual coliform bacteria sample bottle to those operators who request the service.
If you are a Group B water system operator and would like to have a sample bottle mailed to you please let us know.
