Safe Drinking Water

Clean water promotes good public health. Everyone deserves to have a safe and reliable source of drinking water. To make sure the water from tap is safer, BFHD:

• Permit and regulate with small water systems.
• Educate and consult about water quality with well owners.
• Test your drinking water.

Where does my water come from?

If you live in a city or town, your water likely comes from a large municipal water system. Residents—outside city limits—get water from small water systems or individual wells.

Types of drinking water systems.

Individual well: One well serving a single-family home.

Public water system:

• A system serving more than one household.
• A system serving a commercial establishment (school, park, church, business, etc.)
• Large water systems (Group A)
• Small water systems (Group B)

How do I find out about my water system?

• Check your water bill
• Ask your neighbors.
• Call BFHD- Environmental Health at 509-460-4205. Include your name, site address and questions

How do I check about my water systems' quality data?

• Consumer confidence report. The Washington State Department of Health is in charge of drinking water for larger water systems. Most public water systems have water quality data available to the public. You can request a copy of their consumer confidence report.

• Sentry Internet. You can also check Washington State Water System Data  for the system's water testing results to see what's in your drinking water.

• Test your water.  If you own a private well, you are responsible for testing your own water. The Department of Health recommends private well owners test their drinking water every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate.  These two contaminates can rapidly affect a person’s health — possibly even with just one drink of water.