Thurston County's Board of Health votes Tuesday on changes to the county's drinking water code that could take effect in January 2027.
The board holds a public hearing Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 4:15 p.m. in Room 110 of the Atrium, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia. A vote on the revisions is expected at the same meeting. The hearing also covers a related amendment to Article I, Section 19.5.2, of the sanitary code.
The proposed changes update Article III of the Thurston County Sanitary Code, which governs drinking water sources including Group B public water systems and nonpublic water sources. Group B systems are small community systems serving three to 14 connections and fewer than 25 people per day. All Group B systems in the county are regulated by the Thurston County Environmental Health Division under both Article III and state rules in Washington Administrative Code Chapter 246-291.
What would change
According to the Board of Health's agenda packet, the revisions aim to clarify water source protection standards, approval processes and minimum water quantity requirements for residential connections. The Environmental Health Division revised the code to align with updated state laws, incorporate existing policies and clarify local requirements.
The full text of the proposed revised code was shared with industry professionals and Group B water system permit holders before the public hearing, according to the county's public comment page. Hard copies are available at Environmental Health's office at 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Suite 225, Olympia.
The revision process began in May 2025 with internal and external technical reviews. Season Long, Environmental Health Division director, presented the hearing request to the board at its Aug. 11 meeting. The board then voted to schedule the Oct. 13 hearing.
How to weigh in
Written comments are due by 1:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, by email to [email protected] or by mail to Thurston County Public Health & Social Services, Board of Health Clerk, 412 Lilly Rd. NE, Olympia, WA 98506.
Residents can also testify in person at the hearing. The meeting runs from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. and is accessible via Zoom, Meeting ID 886 0481 6712, passcode 055590.
For more information, call 360-867-2685 or contact Dawn Peebles, Environmental Health program manager, through the county.
Also on the agenda
The board, chaired by Commissioner Carolina Mejia, will also proclaim October as Health Literacy Month in Thurston County. A health officer report from Dr. Barbara Villona and Director Jen Freiheit will cover disease trends, including 58 measles cases statewide in 2026 and COVID and influenza each at 1% of emergency department visits in the county.
The Environmental Health team is also rolling out a new permitting system called Accela this month.
