Lake Stevens planners begin rules to protect drinking-water aquifers

On May 7, 2025, the Lake Stevens Planning Commission received an initial staff briefing on updating the city's Critical Areas Ordinance to identify and regulate critical aquifer recharge areas, or CARAs, intended to protect groundwater used for potable water.

David Levitan, principal planner, told commissioners the update will use best-available science and mapping to identify wellhead protection zones, categorize them by contaminant travel time and then propose land‑use regulations tied to those categories. "The goal of establishing CARAs is to protect the functions and values of groundwater supply by preventing pollution and maintaining supply throughout what are called wellhead protection areas," Levitan said.

The work will rely on a consultant to complete mapping, hydrogeologic analysis and a best-available-science review. Levitan said Snohomish County has already mapped several group A water sources adjacent to the city and that some wellhead protection zones have been categorized as a 10‑year travel time; the city must perform a city‑specific analysis. "We're in the process of finalizing a contract with a consultant to help us out," Levitan said, noting the…