FAQs • Whatcom County, WA • CivicEngage

Does it matter where I drill my well on my property?: Yes, you should locate the well at least 50 feet from your septic tank, 100 feet from your drain field, 100 feet from any privy or outhouse, 50 feet from a sewer line, 100 feet from a sewage or manure lagoon, and 1,000 feet from any parcel containing a landfill (active, inactive, closed, or illegal). In addition to required setbacks, the applicant must provide evidence of legal availability.

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Health - Drinking Water

Many records are available online through our online search tool at https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3312/Septic-Drinking-Water-Records. If your documents are not available online, the search tool will notify you.

2. How do I get my water source approved to obtain a building permit?: You will need to go through a process called water availability approval. Please allow up to one week for a decision to be made on your approval once your completed water availability application is submitted to our office. Sometimes applicants must conduct additional testing or submit additional paperwork because of the well location. Pursuant to Interim Ordinance 2016-066, the applicant must also provide evidence of legal availability. Forms

3. What do I need to do to have a well drilled?: The Department of Ecology is responsible for well drilling regulations and requirements. Information on drilling a well can be found online. A well site inspection must be approved by WCHD for water availability application.
Find Licensed Drillers

4. Does it matter where I drill my well on my property?: Yes, you should locate the well at least 50 feet from your septic tank, 100 feet from your drain field, 100 feet from any privy or outhouse, 50 feet from a sewer line, 100 feet from a sewage or manure lagoon, and 1,000 feet from any parcel containing a landfill (active, inactive, closed, or illegal). In addition to required setbacks, the applicant must provide evidence of legal availability.

5. How deep will I have to drill my well?: The depth to ground water varies from area to area in Whatcom County so you will not know for certain until you drill your well. You may get an idea by talking to a neighbor, contacting a well driller or looking on our depth of well map in our office. Pursuant to Interim Ordinance 2016-066, the applicant must also provide evidence of legal availability.

6. What do I have to do to develop my own public water system?: View the information and application packet on how to develop your own public water system online. Public Water System Packet (PDF)

7. How do I find out who takes care of the public water system that serves water to my house?: You will need to the Whatcom County Health and Community Services' Environmental Health Division.

8. My water is making me sick, what should I do?: Stop drinking the water. If the severity of your illness concerns you, contact your health care provider and they can help you with any necessary treatment to help get you well. Contact our office for help in determining why the water you drank may have made you sick.

9. Where can I find information on water treatment systems?: Information on water treatment systems can be found on the National Sanitation Foundation’s website.
National Sanitation Foundation

10. Where do I find out who I get my water from if it is not from a private well?: Contact our office and we will tell you who to call.

11. Planning & Development Services - Exempt well/water FAQs.: Please view the Planning & Development Services - Exempt well/water FAQs.
Planning & Development Services Exempt well/water