What is the purpose of this permit?
Drinking Water Operating Permits are required for Group A public water systems. These are systems that either have 15 or more services or serve an average of 25 or more people a day for 60 or more days in a calendar year. Completed applications, generated by Department of Health (DOH) computers using information provided within the Water Systems Inventory, are mailed to system owners. Owners must sign and return these applications along with the permit fee within 70 days. Permit fees can also be paid online through Secure Access Washington (SAW). After receiving the signed application and fee, DOH issues a permit that is categorized to signify system adequacy.
A green permit means the system is adequate for
existing uses and for additional service connections
up to the number of approved connections by the
Department.
A yellow permit indicates that the system is
adequate for existing uses and for additional
service connections up to the number approved by the
Department in a water system plan or modified by the
Department in a compliance document.
A blue permit indicates that the system is adequate
for existing uses, but not adequate for adding new
connections.
A red permit means that the system is inadequate for
existing uses and no additional connections are
allowed. This may result in denial of home loans,
building permits, on-site sewage disposal permits,
food service permits, liquor licenses, and other
permits or licenses for properties the system
serves.
The color is assigned based on evaluation of system
performance against State Board of Health Drinking
Water regulations. If the renewal fee is mailed, on
average, permits are issued 30 days after DOH
receives a signed application and fee; state law
requires a decision within 120 days. If the renewal
fee is made online, permits are issued within 7
days.
What activities require this permit?
Operating a public water system that has 15 or more services or serves more than 25 people a day for more than 60 days a year.
How much will this permit cost?
Variable based on the number of service connections. Please contact DOH.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
All fees that apply along with your signed and dated application.
Is the decision on my permit dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
The decision about how your permit is categorized is based on information on file with DOH regarding compliance with applicable drinking water requirements.
How long will it take to review my application?
Within 30 days of receipt of complete application and all required fees.
How long is my permit valid?
Normally one year from the time it was issued.
What is the appeal process for the permit?
Appealable under
Chapter 34.05 RCW if the Department denies, conditions, modifies, or revokes a permit.
Notes / Comments:
Contact the Office of Drinking Water Headquarters if you have questions about annual operating permits at 360-246-3042.
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.
All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:
Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: Unable to report agency Permit Timeliness resultsMaximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: Unable to report agency Permit Timeliness resultsEstimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: Unable to report agency Permit Timeliness resultsMaximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: Unable to report agency Permit Timeliness resultsWhere can I get permitting assistance?
Web page URL:
https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/drinking-water/water-system-design-and-planning/operating-permit-feesHelpdesk phone: ODW Headquarters: 360-246-3042; or (800) 525-0127 or TTY users dial 711
Publications: •DOH 331-168: Operating Permit Fact Sheet
•DOH 331-688: Online Annual Invoice Permit Renewal Guide
•DOH 331-693: How to Download Your Operating Permit