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Group B Water Systems
Notice: Our Septic Regulations Have Been Revised
What You Need to Know About Properties Connected to a Septic System
Thinking about buying or selling a home with a septic system? If so, you should be asking yourself these questions:
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Do I know where the septic system is located on the property?
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Do I know what type and size of septic system serves the home?
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Is the existing septic system legal? Does it have any limitations that I should be aware of before I sell or buy the home?
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When was the last time the septic system was inspected or pumped-out? Is it working properly?
A septic system is a critical component of a home --- it collects, treats, and disposes of all of the used water from toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, dishwashers, clothes washers, etc. Without a properly working and legal septic system, a home's value to the occupants or potential buyers is severely diminished. Who wants to own a home where you can't flush the toilets, take a shower, or wash your clothes? For more information about how septic systems work and the different types of septic systems see our Homeowner's Guide to Onsite Septic Systems.
Before buying or selling a home, make sure that you know what the status of the septic system is by having the Health District do a records review and site inspection of the septic system, and provide you with a written report of the findings. It is not only a good idea to protect your investment, but it is also the law (Kitsap Public Health Board Ordinance 2008A-01, Section 13.D.).
A Property Conveyance inspection is important to identify significant problems. See Property Conveyance Inspection Findings chart below. If these problems are not identified or corrected, they can cause problems for the home sellers or buyers and even cause septic system failure after the new owners take possession of the property.
For more detailed information, please refer to our Selling a property with a septic system: What, Why & How guide.
If your property does not have a record drawing, you will need to create one. Please follow the instructions contained within the Record Drawing Document.
2024 Property Conveyance Inspection Findings
1676 property conveyance inspections (PCI) for septic were completed in 2024. Of those, 464 (28%) had significant deficiencies identified.
Avoiding Common Problems on Property Conveyance Inspections
Encroachment - don’t build or park on your primary or reserve drainfield. Primary and reserve drainfield areas are intended to be maintained clear for maintenance and for future use.
Maintenance accessibility - For alternative systems, keep components accessible for maintenance.
Use beyond capacity/unpermitted connections -
Stay within the designed capacity of your drainfield design. To find out how many bedrooms your septic is approved for, search for your records through our GIS Search.
Do not add plumbing to outbuildings without project review and approval from Kitsap Health.
Primary/reserve areas compromised -
Know where your septic areas are and protect them. For more information about how to protect those areas, review the Homeowner’s Guide
What You Need To Know About Properties Connected to a 1- or 2-party well or a Group B Water System
Effective March 4, 2019, all properties served by a private one- or two-party water supply or a Group B Water System are required to have a Water Status Report prepared by the Health District prior to sale. In the past, these reports have been optional but are now required.
Water Status Report Applications should be submitted 30 days prior to property transfer to allow for any identified issues to be addressed prior to closing.
For more information about the new rules, please view our Water Status Reports - Frequently Asked Questions handout.
Just like a Property Conveyance Inspection is important to know the status of the septic system, it is also important to evaluate the water system to identify significant problems. See the Private Water Status Report Findings and group B Water Status Report Findings charts below. If these problems are not identified or corrected, they can cause problems for the home sellers or buyers.
2024 Private Water Status Report Findings
438 private water status reports were completed in 2024. Of those reports, 173 (39%) had significant problems identified.
Avoiding Common Problems on Private Water Status Reports
Construction Standards - Keep your well-head above grade and accessible (at least six inches above grade)
Well openings/access for contamination - Openings in the well casing/cap can allow contamination into the well. Ensure conduit, cap and all other entry points are sealed.
Ensure pressure tank maintenance is up to date and sample for bacteria annually. For more information about bacteria sampling, view the handout.
2024 Group B Water Status Report Findings
124 public water status reports for Group B systems were completed in 2024. Of those, 106 (84%) significant problems were identified.
Avoiding Common Problems on Public Water Status Reports
No user agreement - Group B user agreements have been required since 2019. All water systems should review their current user agreement or, if there isn’t one, create one. More resources can be found in below in the Drinking Water Publications Downloads. Look for these documents:
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Group B Water System User Agreement Requirements
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Group B Water System User Agreement Information and Resources
No operating permit - Group B water systems must have a current operating permit. Ensure water system contact information is up to date and the permits have been paid. For more information, visit our Managing Group B Public Water Systems page.
Sampling not current - Most Group B water systems must sample annually for bacteria and every three years for nitrate. If you’re unsure of your sampling frequency or need technical assistance with taking samples, please call us at (360) 728-2235 and ask to speak to the Drinking Water Inspector of the Day.
Also, reminder cards are mailed approximately 30 days prior to sample due date. Make sure your system contact information is updated.
Group B Public Water System Resources
Group B Newsletter
Annual Operating Permits
As of January 1, 2020, all Group B water systems need an annual operating permit.
The annual operating permit covers the costs associated with the Health District’s legal responsibility to perform public Group B water system administration. Administration of the Group B water systems includes:
Response to public complaints
Inquiries and records requests
Technical assistance to Group B water systems
Group B file maintenance
User Agreements
Effective September 4, 2019, Group B water systems were required to review their water system records to ensure that a User Agreement is in place between all users of the water system. If the user agreement is inaccurate or not present, an agreement needs to be updated or developed. For more information, please refer to the Group B Water System User Agreement Requirement Factsheet, and the Group B Water System User Agreement Information and Resources which are located below in the Drinking Water Publications
Water testing requirements
All Group B water systems must test for bacteria annually and nitrate every 3 years, at a minimum. Samples must be analyzed by an accredited laboratory. Some local laboratories send the Health District copies of the analytical results to add to your water system file, but it is the water system’s responsibility to ensure that sample results are sent to the Health District in a timely fashion.
Please ensure that you put your water system ID number on the sampling slip and mark “Group B public water system” so samples can be correctly tracked. You may have received a sampling reminder in the mail, if you have questions about the reminder card, please contact us at 360-728-2235.
You can also email electronic versions of your sampling results to ossdw@kitsappublichealth.org
Group B record keeping
Keeping your records up to date is very important when managing a Group B water system. The types of information that you should typically keep are:
All water test results
Annual Operating Permit
Water System easements and agreements
Protective well covenants
Plans of the water system and distribution layouts
Copy of the well log (may be obtained from the health department)
Flow test information
Records of past repairs of both the equipment and well
The Health District has records on each Group B water system in Kitsap County. The types of information we keep include water test results, contact information for the system, connection addresses, water system plans and recorded documents. Scanned Group B water system files can be found through our GIS system.
When information about your system changes, please notify our office. You may fax, mail, or email the written changes so it becomes part of our records. This will allow us to keep the most accurate records and be able to contact the right people.
Update your Group B Water System information
Email: ossdw@kitsappublichealth.org
Mailing Address Kitsap Public Health District Drinking Water Program 345 6th St., Ste. 300 Bremerton, WA 98337 Phone: 360-728-2235
Additional resources
Washington State Department of Health Group B Water Systems resources
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