Committee hears gaps in oversight, funding for Washington’s small water systems

On the final day of the Environment & Energy Committee’s hearings, state and local officials briefed legislators on regulatory responsibilities, financing and technical barriers affecting Washington’s smallest drinking‑water systems.

The discussion centered on the difference between large “Group A” systems (regulated by the state and federal government) and smaller “Group B” systems (generally overseen by local health jurisdictions), the role of satellite management agencies (SMAs), and how the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) and local health departments interact with privately owned companies and very small systems.

“We have talked about PFAS chemicals in water,” said Lauren Jenks, Assistant Secretary for Environmental Public Health at the Washington State Department of Health. “Everybody drinks water.” Jenks summarized how federal standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act and state action through the State Board of Health shape testing and limits, and noted the state has adopted more protective PFAS recommendations in some cases ahead of EPA action.

Jenks told the committee Washington has a mixed regulatory landscape: about 4,000 Group A systems serve roughly 80% of the state’s population, while more than 13,000 Group B systems serve about 5% of residents; about 15% of Washingtonians use private…