To get a Building Permit or Divide land, you must prove you have an adequate water source.  Water systems are reviewed for adequate supply of water for Building Permits and Land Use Applications. A proposed water source may be either private water or public water.  A Water Adequacy Verification (W.A.V.) is a state-required proof of a reliable water supply—mandatory for building permits, new wells, public water connections, or land division.

APPLY ONLINE!

https://us.cloudpermit.com/skamaniacounty/login

You need a water right to use any amount of surface water (from a river, stream, spring, or lake) for any purpose.  Additionally, a water right is required for groundwater (from a well) unless the use falls within the specific small-quantity exemptions defined in RCW 90.44.050 and Title 173 WAC.

• WAC 173-152 | Water rights
• WAC 173-201A | Water quality standards for surface waters of the state of Washington
• CC 8.68.080
• Washington State Department of Ecology | Water rights
• Washington State Department of Ecology | Water Quality Standards

Well construction is regulated by the Department of Ecology to ensure safe drinking water, protect water resources, and provide minimum standards for the drilling industry.  Well drillers and property owners have the responsibility to ensure safe, legal access to groundwater.

• WAC 173-160 | Minimum standards for construction and maintenance of wells
• WAC 173-200 | Water quality standards for groundwaters of the state of Washington
• CC 8.68.100
• Washington State Department of Ecology | Wells
• Washington State Department of Ecology | Testing drinking water

• Washington State Department of Ecology | Water quality standards

SHARED WELLS

• CC 8.68.030
• CC 8.68.060

• Connections: Has 3 or more service connections.
• Population: Serves 25+ people per day for at least 60 days a year.

• Commercial Use: Supplies businesses, including food service establishments.

System Classifications

• Group B: Serves 3 to 14 connections. (Note: Systems with only 2 connections may qualify as "private 2-party shared wells" if specific county criteria are met).

• WAC 246-291 | Group B public water systems
• CC 8.68.070

• Group A: Serves 15+ connections, 25+ people daily, or supports industrial and transient establishments.

• WAC 246-290 | Group A public water supplies