Commissioners approve amendment to Group B water‑system rules, reintroduce state definitions and monitoring requirements

Mason County commissioners voted to adopt an amendment to Mason County Code Chapter 6.64 governing Group B (small public) water systems, adding back explicit state definitions and clarifying monitoring requirements.

Ian Tracy, the county’s environmental health manager, told the commission the ordinance update was intended to align county code with state regulation. Key changes discussed included requiring regular water‑quality monitoring for Group B systems — staff read the draft language specifying fecal‑coliform testing a minimum of twice a year and nitrate testing once every two years — and removing a defunct local "water system designer" certification that had not been in use for years.

Several members of the public urged additional clarifications. Robert A., a long‑time Stretch Island resident and user of an Eagles Nest Group B system, said the draft removed the local definition of "class B" and the term "purveyor," and he asked that the county reintroduce those definitions and move the applicability statement forward in the code for clarity. Robert also called for consideration of annual testing for short‑term rentals and broader citizen advisory oversight.

Commissioners discussed the tradeoff between avoiding duplicative language and providing clarity for residents who do not read state code. On motion by Commissioner Netherland, seconded and debated on the record, the board approved the ordinance with an explicit insertion of the state's definitions for "class B" and "purveyor" by copy/paste into county code. The motion carried by voice vote.

The ordinance applies to new and expanding Group B and two‑party water systems; staff said existing approved systems (for example, Eagles Nest) would not be retroactively required to change.