Group B Designs

We design more Group B Water Systems than any other firm in the state.  By understanding the regulations and developing an efficient system for putting together the necessary design package, we are able to complete Group B designs very cost effectively.  We believe that our Group B designs are among the best and most professional designs available.  Especially with these smaller systems we believe in simple, workable designs.  There is nothing more painful than to go into a small water system and see a “$100,000 Hummer” when a “$25,000 pickup” is what the system really needed.

To B or not to B

A typical Group B water system costs $20,000 – $30,000 to construct.  Obtaining all the information necessary to generate a Group B workbook can require a couple weeks.  Once we have all the information, we can usually complete a Group B design within one to two weeks.  County review of the design requires as little as one month, but can take longer.  Most of those who build a Group B water system turn over ownership to the homeowners after the system has been completed.  It is generally less expensive, but more hassle to develop a Group B water system then to drill private wells.

We have a simple spreadsheet to help determine if it makes more sense to drill private wells or create a Group B Water System.

Can I get more than six connections without a water right?

Yes!  All wells in the state of Washington have an automatic water right to withdraw 5,000 gpd under the exempt well provisions.  Usually, the regulatory agency concludes that this is sufficient to supply six houses.

There are two primary methods of obtaining more than six connections to a water system without a water right:  1) Build five to six houses and take meter readings for one year.  From these meter readings we can then estimate the usage per house and extrapolate the actual number of connections the system can support at 5,000 gpd.  2)  Complete a design which will ensure low water use, including restrictive covenants prohibiting in-ground sprinkler systems for lawns, a landscape design using drip irrigation and drought tolerant plants, limiting the number of hose bibs per residence to one, etc.

Some counties, however, do not allow for this sort of flexibility.  There is a potential for as many as ten connections for a new group B system and 14 connections for an expanding group B system.  However, if you are building $500,000 homes on 2.5 acre lots on Bainbridge Island . . . just be thankful that you can get six.