Drinking Water

The drinking water program works in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health to ensure safe and reliable drinking water in our public water systems. The Cowlitz County Health Department regulates Group B public water systems under WAC 246-291. Group B Public Water Systems are those systems that serve less than 25 people per day and consist of 3-14 connection residential systems or non-residential systems that serve less than 25 people per day.

Private well and shared well approvals are handled by the Environmental Health Unit. The Washington State Department of Health regulates Group A Public Water Systems (15 or more connections, or 25 or more people per day for 60 days or more per year).

Water System Information

• Drinking Water Labs Near Cowlitz County
• Washington State Public Water System Database
• Department of Ecology Well Log Search
• Department of Ecology Water Right Search

New Group B Regulations Effective January 1, 2014

• WAC 246-291 Group B Water
• Cowlitz County Group B Ordinance

Current Group B Compliance Requirements

• One Coliform Sample Per Year
• One Nitrate Sample Every 3 Years
• Any additional sampling requirements (system specific)
• Group B Compliance Requirements Factsheet