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Drinking Water
Does your drinking water come from a private well* or a public water system**?
Would you know who to call if your water stopped flowing?
It is important to know the source of your water. Only 80 percent of Kitsap residents are served by large public water utilities. It is important to be confident your water is safe and reliable.
Whether you are constructing a public water system or a private well—or need a well inspection to sell your property—our goal is to work with you to develop and maintain a safe and reliable drinking water supply.
* A private well is one that serves up to two residential connections.
** The state defines a public water system as any well that serves more than one residential connection and classifies them by number of users. Group B systems serve between 3 and 14 connections. Group A systems serve 15 or more connections or 25 or more people per day for 60 or more days a year.
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.
How do I replace a well?
For all well replacements, you need to complete a Well Site Application (links to the paper or online application can be found below in the Drinking Water Applications section) and obtain formal approval before you start construction. After we approve your well site, we will need the following items to approve your water supply:
A Health District inspector will inspect the well site for compliance prior to issuing the authorization to drill and then they will inspect again during the drilling process.
Your well driller will submit a copy of the water-well construction report (called a well log).
A copy of the pump test (usually performed by your well driller) will be submitted that proves your well produces at least five gallons of water per minute per residential connection.
A copy of a bacteria test (performed by a state-approved lab) is required showing that there are no bacteria in the well water.
A chemical analysis of your well water, showing the level of iron, manganese, nitrate, chloride, and conductivity (known as the “Kitsap 5”) will also be required. This test must be conducted by a state-approved lab.
Your well driller or a pump company will fill out and submit your private well system design worksheet.
Depending on the well’s location, we may require that you and your neighbors sign an agreement to abide by covenants that protect the well’s sanitary control area (well radius).
How do I find more information about water rights in Washington?
What if I live in the Island Lake Aquafer?
There are special well drilling restrictions in the Island Lake area.
What about abandoned wells? Do they need to be decommissioned?
Wells that are no longer in use are considered abandoned wells. State law requires that any abandoned well must be properly decommissioned. The owner is responsible for having a well decommissioned by a licensed well driller. This is necessary because if wells are not properly decommissioned, they pose a hidden danger to people and animals that could easily fall into them. An unused or improperly decommissioned well also creates a public health threat, providing a direct route for pollutants to contaminate our ground water. This is why filling a well with garbage or dirt is illegal.
The Process
Safety First: If your well shaft is exposed, secure the top of the well to prevent a person or animal from falling into it, then contract with a licensed well driller as soon as possible for decommissioning.
If you find an unused well that is not on your property, please contact us. You will need the property owner's name, address, and tax account number, if known.
The abandonment process begins when you or a well driller submit a decommissioning application either through a paper application or online (found below under Drinking Water Applications). A licensed well driller will typically seal a hand-dug well with concrete. Drilled wells require a more specialized process. To learn more, contact us at 360-728-2235 or the Washington State Department of Ecology at 425-649-7044.
Waivers for Irrigation-Only Wells
To keep your well for irrigating a garden, a waiver is necessary. Irrigating more than one-half acre of noncommercial lawn and garden also requires a water-right permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Irrigation Waiver Policy (see Drinking Water Policies below)
Irrigation Waiver Application (see Drinking Water Applications below)
Resources
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Getting your drinking water tested
It is important to regularly test your drinking water for bacteria and nitrate and have the samples analyzed by an accredited lab. The Health District recommends private well owners test for bacteria annually and nitrate every three years.
About drinking water contaminants
Please visit our Drinking Water Contaminants page for more information.
Fluoride in drinking water
Please visit our Fluoride In Drinking Water page for more information.
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