Agencies Who Play a Role in Regulating Drinking Water

Federal Oversight: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets nationwide standards for drinking water quality under the Safe Drinking Water Act. JBWD must comply with these federal regulations.

State Regulatory Agencies:

• • The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) enforces the federal standards and may have additional state-specific requirements. They likely monitor water quality data submitted by JBWD and conduct inspections.

  • The Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (WUTC) regulates privately owned water utilities, including some aspects of water quality and rates. While JBWD is a special purpose district, the WUTC may still have some oversight, particularly if JBWD were to purchase water from a regulated utility.  JBWD sets its own water rates and fees and currently the WUTC has no oversight on those fees.

  • The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) oversees broader environmental concerns, such as source water protection and wastewater discharge. They likely collaborate with JBWD on wellhead protection plans and other measures to ensure the safety of the water source.

County Agencies:

• • Island County Public Health monitors water quality through sampling and testing. They investigate complaints, respond to waterborne disease outbreaks, and educate the public about water safety.

  • Island County Public Works may be involved in infrastructure planning and development, ensuring that the water system's design and construction meet safety standards.  JBWD has a franchise with Island County to install and maintain its distribution water lines and systems along county roads and right-aways.

  • Island County Planning Department is responsible for land use planning and zoning, which can impact water quality through regulations related to septic systems, stormwater runoff, and other potential sources of contamination.  When building permits are obtained, a Water Availability Form must be submitted when includes a section that the JBWD will fill out acknowledging the water system is capable of handlin that water connection.

Direct Responsibility: As a Public Water System, JBWD is directly responsible for the operation and maintenance of its water system. Our water management services company must conduct regular testing, maintain records, and report any violations to the appropriate agencies.

Hardness and Softener Overview and Considerations

Sourced from local groundwater aquifers, water in the Juniper Beach Water District typically falls into the "Hard" to "Very Hard" range, with mineral content often measuring between 7 and 15 grains per gallon. Because these naturally high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium exceed the threshold where professionals generally recommend treatment, residents frequently experience issues like fixture scale buildup and reduced water heater lifespan. While the District provides historical data showing blended hardness levels reaching as high as 270 mg/L, homeowners considering filtration systems should be aware that water chemistry fluctuates based on the specific well in use and often contains detectable levels of Iron and Manganese that must be accounted for during system selection.

Click on the Hardness and Softener Overview and Considerations link to go directly to the subpage.

Water Quality Monitoring Schedule for JBWD

JBWD Water Quality Reporting is found below.

Consumer Confidence Report (in pdf format) is below and can be downloaded.