Coordinated Water System Plan Update

2025-2027 Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) Update

Island County maintains a Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) to manage the future development and sustainability of the county's water systems. Established in accordance with the Public Water System Coordination Act of 1977, the plan utilizes Critical Water Supply Service Areas (CWSSAs) to ensure a reliable supply of potable water for residents while protecting our unique hydrogeology.

The CWSP aims to maximize the coordination and integration of public water system facilities, serving as a foundational element of Island County’s growth management and environmental resilience strategies.

What is a Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP)? 

The CWSP is a "plan for public water systems within a critical water supply service area which identifies the present and future needs of the systems and sets forth means for meeting those needs in the most efficient manner possible," RCW 70.116.030(1). The CWSP also acts as a regional supplement to all water system plans within the CWSSA. The CWSP must have at a minimum: 

  • An assessment of related, adopted plans;
  • An identification of future service areas and service area agreements;
  • Area wide water system design standards, including fire flow performance standards;
  • Procedures for authorizing new water systems in the critical water supply service area; and 
  • An assessment of potential joint-use or shared water system facilities and/or management programs.

How is a Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) developed and updated? 

A CWSP is developed and updated by the Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC). Per WAC 246- 293-150, a WUCC is established by the Board of Island County Commissioners, and consist of at least three voting members that include:

  • The County legislative authority within the declared area;
  • The County planning agency having jurisdiction within the declared area;
  • The health agency having jurisdiction within the declared area; and
  • A water purveyor with over fifty services within the declared area

The committee also coordinates with citizen advisory groups to ensure broad community representation and alignment with regional water resource goals.

2026–2027 CWSP Update

The current update will focus on ensuring the plan reflects modern challenges to water security, focusing on the following:

  • Administrative & Regulatory Alignment: Updating the plan to reflect current state and local health codes.
  • Population & Demand Forecasting: Revising forecasts to align with the Island County Comprehensive Plan updates.
  • Climate & Environmental Resilience: Assessing the impact of sea-level rise and changing precipitation patterns on aquifer recharge and saltwater intrusion.

CWSP Update Schedule

The following milestones represent the general phases of the update process. Specific dates are currently being finalized.

  • Phase 1: Convening & Planning – Re-establishing the WUCC, electing officers, and finalizing the scope of work.
  • Phase 2: Technical Review & Draft Development – Updating standards and integrating climate resilience data.
  • Phase 3: Public Review & SEPA – 60-day public comment period and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) determination.
  • Phase 4: Adoption – Final public hearing and submission to the Washington State Department of Health for approval.

Public Meeting Details

Check back soon.

Dates, times, and locations for the upcoming WUCC meetings and the formal public hearing will be posted here as they are scheduled. All meetings will be conducted in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).

Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP)

View the current CWSP and learn more about priorities for the current update by viewing a recent consultant report highlighting key focus areas for improving the CWSP.