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345 6th Street, Suite 300
Bremerton, WA 98337
360-728-2235
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Monday - Friday
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
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Our vision: A safe and healthy Kitsap County for all.
Drinking Water & Onsite Sewage
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Kitsap Public Health District’s Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Program helps make sure that over 58,000 sewage/septic systems in our county are safe. Onsite sewage (septic) systems treat wastewater when homes and buildings are not connected to public sewer systems. We also safeguard water for Kitsap residents by conducting routine inspections according to local and state regulations. We work to ensure drinking water wells are properly located, designed, and built, while producing an adequate supply of water that meets strict standards for safety and quality.
Additionally, we regulate over 800 small public water systems and provide resources on water quality issues, disinfection of water systems and protection of well sources from potential sources of contamination.
Notice: Our Septic Regulations Are Being 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.
2023 Property Conveyance Inspection Findings
1510 property conveyance inspections (PCI) for septic were completed in 2023. Of the 1510 inspections, 351 (23%) had significant deficiencies identified.
Avoiding Common Problems on
Property Conveyance Inspections
Maintenance accessibility - For alternative systems, keep components accessible for maintenance.
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.
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.
Avoiding Common Problems on
Private Water Status Reports
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.
Construction Standards - Keep your well-head above grade and accessible (at least six inches above grade)
2023 Private Water Status Report Findings
377 private water status reports were completed in 2023. Of those 377 reports, 155 (41%) had significant problems identified.
2023 Group B Water Status Report Findings
83 public water status reports for Group B systems were completed in 2023. Of those, 66 (80%) 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.
Septic Systems
Kitsap Health District inspectors ensure proper design, installation and maintenance of septic systems in Kitsap to protect ground and surface water resources. This reduces the spread of disease. We review septic designs, issue permits, certify septic contractors and oversee required septic maintenance inspections.
Septic systems are complex. The easiest way to learn what you need to know about owning and using a septic system is to review the Homeowners Guide to Onsite Septic Systems.
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's important to know the source of your water. Only 80 percent of Kitsap residents are served by large public water utilities. It's important to be confident your water is safe and reliable.
Kitsap Public Health District safeguards water for Kitsap residents by conducting routine inspections according to local and state regulations. We also work to ensure drinking-water wells are properly located, designed, and built, while producing an adequate supply of water that meets strict standards for safety and quality.
Whether you are constructing a public water system or a private well—or you simply 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. The links lefthand menu include instructions, required forms, and information to make the process easy.
* 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 2 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. Kitsap County has an exemption that allows a two-party residential system that meets certain criteria to be classified as a private well.
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