Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/drinking-water.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Water System Construction and Operation Approval

Description/Purpose

To obtain Department of Health (DOH) approval of:

  • An existing public water system.
  • A proposed extension of an existing public water system.
  • A proposed new public water system.

The Department of Health has review and approval authority over water system plans, project reports, and construction documents for new public drinking water systems and alterations or additions to existing systems for both Group A and Group B public water systems. In many counties, the local health department may do the review and approval for the smaller Group B systems.

A public water system is defined in statute as any system furnishing water for human consumption, excluding a system serving a single family home. Approvals for water supplies serving single-family residences are not required by the state. A system with four or fewer connections all of which serve residences on the same farm is likewise excluded from the definition of a public water system.

Public water systems are further categorized as either Group A or Group B. Group A systems serve 15 or more service connections, or 25 or more people for more than 60 days a year. Group B systems are those that do not meet the Group A definition, such as a system that serves 14 or fewer services and less than 25 people or more than 25 people but for fewer than 60 days a year. Generally, Group B systems serving two or fewer connections are exempt from regulation.

Triggers and activities which would require this permit

Providing water through pipes or other conveyances to one or more commercial connections or two or more residential service connections where people have access to use the water.

Costs/Fees
see details
see details

It varies. Fees vary depending on the size of the water system and project type.

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Application Information

Requirements for project and planning documents vary by water system type and size. Contact the regional DOH Office of Drinking Water that has jurisdiction. Map of Regional Offices: https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/drinking-water/offices-and-staff

Generally, the answer is no. However, review by Ecology of the water resource availability and impact may result in delay or an inability for the Department of Health to approve the submittal.

Applications should be submitted to the regional DOH Office of Drinking Water that has jurisdiction.

It varies. Planning document approval is generally valid for up to ten (10) years. Engineering document approval is valid up to two (2) years, with an opportunity for extension.

In most cases, applicants may file a request for adjudicative or brief adjudicative proceeding to the Department of Health after submitting required documentation. Applicants should contact the regional DOH Office of Drinking Water that has jurisdiction.

Agency Analysis
252
n/a
n/a
47
n/a
144
n/a
70
89

Since 2020, the office has experienced engineering staff shortages; 58% of staff were hired over the last 4 years. Due to shortages of licensed engineers throughout the nation, the department struggled to fill open positions and expanded the hiring pool by hiring engineers in training to cover positions previously filled by licensed engineers.

The department continues to reduce review times and the number of backlogged applications has significantly reduced since the end of 2024. While we strive to process applications as efficiently as possible, the timeline for pending applications can be influenced by factors outside of our control, as the department has completed review and request amendment to the plans prior to approval.

Water systems and their consultants have up to 2 years to provide an updated plan and respond to our concerns. Pending applications are not in our control and we are waiting for the applicant to respond to our comments.

Regarding the number of backlog applications, although the total backlog at the end of 2024 was 89, this is for all 17 engineers. The average backlog per employee was 5 applications.

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average days from Receipt to Complete: Notes indicate there are permits and that the agency does not track metrics for this permit. A 0 permit count is what was reported and thus what is reported here, even though it would be more appropriate to leave blank.
Maximum days from Receipt to Complete: Notes indicate there are permits and that the agency does not track metrics for this permit. A 0 permit count is what was reported and thus what is reported here, even though it would be more appropriate to leave blank.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average days from Complete Application to Decision: Notes indicate there are permits and that the agency does not track metrics for this permit. A 0 permit count is what was reported and thus what is reported here, even though it would be more appropriate to leave blank.
Maximum days from Complete Application to Decision: Notes indicate there are permits and that the agency does not track metrics for this permit. A 0 permit count is what was reported and thus what is reported here, even though it would be more appropriate to leave blank.

Published Decision Time
n/a

Generally 90 days for the initial review of a Water System Plan and 30 days for initial review of a project that does not require a planning document. If resubmittals are needed, this adds to the review time.

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Legal authority
Notes / Comments

The application is available from the regional DOH Office of Drinking Water that has jurisdiction.

For Group A systems, the three part approval process begins with submittal of a comprehensive water system plan or small water system management program that outlines in general the proposed construction prospects and water use to DOH for review. This is followed by submittal of project justification and construction documents prepared by a professional engineer. Upon project completion, a professional engineer associated with the project signs a document certifying that the project was constructed according to state-approved plans and designs.

For Group B systems, the approval process begins with submittal of design and construction documents, along with information on the proposed system's management and operation to the Department of Health or to the local health department if the local health department has accepted regulatory responsibility for Group B water systems. Design and construction documents submitted to the Department of Health must be prepared by a professional engineer. Upon project completion, the professional engineer associated with the project signs a document certifying that the project was constructed according to a state-approved design.

DOH's Drinking Water Program coordinates review and approval of planning and engineering documents with the Department of Ecology's Water Resources Program.

Contacts
Department of Health, Eastern Drinking Water Operations
1500 West 4th Avenue, Suite 305
Spokane WA 99204
Website: https://doh.wa.gov/
Telephone: (509) 456-3115
Fax: (509) 456-2997
Department of Health, Northwest Drinking Water Operations
20435 72nd Ave S
Suite 200, K17-12
Kent WA 98032-2358
Website: https://doh.wa.gov/
Telephone: (253) 395-6758
Fax: (253) 395-6760
Department of Health, Southwest Regional Office Drinking Water Operations
2411 Pacific Avenue
PO Box 47823
Olympia WA 98504-7823
Website: https://doh.wa.gov/
Telephone: (360) 664-0768
Fax: (360) 664-8058
Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water
111 Israel Road SE, 5th Floor
Po Box 47822
Olympia WA 98504-7822
Website: https://doh.wa.gov/
Toll Free: 1-800-521-0323
Fax: (360) 236-2252
Telephone: (360) 236-3100
Triggering Questions
  • Will the project provide water to one or more commercial connections or two or more residential service connections for human consumption or domestic use?
* Credential details last updated 5/28/2025
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