Drinking Water

The Drinking Water Program provides bacteriological and nitrate testing for individual and public water systems. Small water systems are evaluated for adequate construction and operations. Information is available concerning any drinking water problems you may have.  Washington State Department of Heath Division of Drinking Water Link
    
Water Sample Testing - Our state certified and accredited Water Laboratory can test your water to detect coliform bacteria, an indicator of water contamination and potential source of microbial infection. Water may also be tested for nitrate, a chemical contaminant. The fee for either test is $26 and the special test bottles needed are available at all of the out lying City Halls or Okanogan County Public Health.  Water samples are accepted in our office Monday - Thursday by 3:00 p.m. 

Water Runs - For your convenience we have arranged for a water sample pickup service at various city halls in the county. You may drop off your samples according to the following schedule:

2006 Water Sample Pickup Schedule

1st  Mondays 2nd  Tuesdays 

Winthrop City Hall

11:00 a.m. to   1:30 p.m.

Coulee Dam City Hall

9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Twisp City Hall

11:00 a.m. to   2:00 p.m.

Brewster City Hall

8:00 a.m. to   1:00 p.m.

Tonasket City Hall

  9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Pateros City Hall

8:00 a.m. to   1:00 p.m.

Oroville City Hall

  9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 

 

If a Monday or Tuesday pickup service falls on a holiday, there will be no service that day; pickup service will be on the day after the holiday.

Please Note: If nitrate samples are left at the city halls for pickup, they MUST be kept cold, either by refrigeration or by leaving them on ice. 

Water Samples may be delivered to the Okanogan County Health District on any Monday thru Thursday before 3:00 pm.  The Health District is located in the Public Services Building, at 1234 S. 2nd, in Okanogan.  Water samples CANNOT be accepted on holidays.  Please do not attempt to send water samples through the mail as they are too old to process when they arrive. If you have any questions regarding the above information, please call (509) 422-7140.

Certified Drinking Water Tests available : 

Coliform/Bacteria

$26.00

Nitrate (MUST be kept cold/on ice)

$26.00

 Test containers are available at the Okanogan County Public Health office and at the city halls listed above.

Water Adequacy Application
Our office is also responsible for determining that an adequate supply of water is available for individuals applying for building permits.  This process includes a Water Adequacy Application (the fee for this is $50).  Also needed are positive Coliform and Nitrate water tests.

For more information about water adequacy or  testing please call (509) 422-7140.