Operating Your Water System
As an operator of a Group B water system, you have the responsibility to your consumers to provide a continuous supply of safe drinking water. Meeting your responsibilities may include sampling and resolving problems, responding to emergencies, and conducting routine maintenance.
If you're having operations or maintenance problems, contact one of our approved Satellite Management Agencies (SMAs) List (PDF). SMAs operate all over the state, and may be able to help with services such as:
- Sampling.
- Repair.
- Maintenance.
- Inspection.
- Oversight of sub-contractors.
- Project coordination.
Water Quality Sampling
Although not required, ongoing monitoring is necessary to ensure your system provides safe and reliable drinking water. We recommend you sample your system at least annually for coliform bacteria and nitrate. Here are instructions to help you successfully monitor your system's water quality.
- Collecting a Coliform Sample 331-225 (PDF)
- Collecting a Nitrate Sample 331-222 (PDF)
- How to Fill Out a Lab Slip 331-247 (PDF)
Make sure you check the box marked "routine" for the type of sample.
For a list of certified labs, visit the state Department of Ecology: Laboratory Search webpage. Under "Location," select your state, city, and county. Scroll down and click on "Show results." Click on the name of a lab to see the tests it performs. Call the lab to make sure it's accredited to analyze for the drinking water parameter you want analyzed.
Responding to Water Quality Problems
Coliform
If your coliform sample comes back with E. Coli, notify your customers immediately using the Coliform consumer notice 331-484 (Word).
When you have coliform bacteria in your system, take immediate steps to solve the problem. Visit these links with information that may assist you with your “next step” actions.
- Troubleshooting Checklist for Coliform Contamination 331-180 (PDF)
- Emergency Chlorination of Group B Systems webpage
- Sanitary Protection of Reservoirs: Hatches 331-249 English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF)
- Sanitary Protection of Reservoirs: Vents 331-250 English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF)
- Simple Fixes for Wellhead Openings 331-232 (PDF)
- Troubleshooting Bladder Pressure Tanks 331-342 (PDF)
- Cross-connection Control for Group B Systems webpage
Nitrate
If your nitrate sample comes back above 10.0 parts per million, notify your customers immediately using the Nitrate consumer notice 331-485 (Word)
Arsenic
If your arsenic sample comes back above 10.0 parts per billion, notify your customers immediately using the Arsenic consumer notice 331-482 (Word)
For more information, visit our Coliform, Nitrate, and Arsenic pages. We also have more information on the General Information webpage
Preparing for an Emergency
Review our Emergency Response Planning Guide for Group B Water Systems, DOH 331-211b (Word) before an emergency occurs. This document includes templates to help develop your water system's plan. It also includes templates to help develop your water system's emergency preparedness and response plan.
Visit our Group B Water Systems—Emergencies webpage for more information.
Seasonal Group B Systems
If your Group B system is not used year-round, it is prone to contamination if you don't take specific steps to prevent problems. We created recommendations for Group B Public Water Systems—Seasonal webpage.
Routine Maintenance
As an operator of a Group B system, routine preventative maintenance can help prevent problems. Knowing the needs of your system and taking action to meet those needs will improve your system's reliability and reduce long-term costs. We've created a Preventative Maintenance Guide for Small Public Water Systems Using Groundwater 331-351B (PDF) specifically for Group B systems to use.
In addition, many national organizations have developed useful guidance for routine maintenance, including the following CDC webpages.