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Groundwater protection program
The Groundwater Protection Program provides management, policy, and technical expertise to help protect the quality and quantity of the groundwater resources in King County.
In 2001, the King County Council created the Groundwater Protection Program by King County Code Chapter 9.14. The Program seeks to:
- protect the health and viability of its residents who use groundwater for drinking
- preserve fish and wildlife habitat by ensuring the replenishment (by way of groundwater contributions) of streams, lakes and wetlands for future generations
Goals and responsibilities
- Ensure that King County exercises all of its authority in a fashion that protects groundwater quantity and quality.
- Develop the capability to assess groundwater quality and quantity trends and conditions.
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement in groundwater issues and related decision-making processes, and build a strong base of support for groundwater protection by encouraging communication and dialogue among stakeholders.
Interagency coordination
Coordinate and collaborate within King County government and with other local, state, federal and tribal agencies in order to leverage resources, integrate groundwater protection with the protection of all water resources, and integrate groundwater protection with other public health and safety efforts.
Planning and plan implementation
Help local communities identify groundwater protection needs and address these needs with local and non-local resources. Integrate groundwater issues with other local planning efforts including growth management plans.
Data collection and management
Serve as a reliable source of technical data regarding the quality and quantity of King County’s groundwater resources; develop effective monitoring programs to document trends and provide expert analysis on the conditions of groundwater quality and quantity in King County for planning and other purposes.
King County groundwater policy
Foster (review, develop, recommend) effective groundwater protection policies for King County.
Stewardship and education
Provide stewardship services related to groundwater protection, and communicate to the larger community both the important groundwater issues in King County and what is being done to address them.
Read the Report Card to the Community publication
Protection committees
Groundwater Protection Committees work with King County's Department of Natural Resources and Parks to implement the recommendations of the local Groundwater Management Plan and address current local groundwater issues. The committees also advise King County and others on groundwater-related actions and activities.
King County Code (Chapter 9.14) defines the membership of each committee. Committee members serve in a voluntary capacity. Membership is appointed by King County or by the city they represent.
Each Groundwater Management Area with a certified plan creates a committee. These four areas have certified plans: Vashon-Maury Island, Redmond-Bear Creek, Issaquah Creek Valley, and East King County.
King County groundwater committees:
- Vashon-Maury Island — Active
- East King County — Inactive as of 2004
- Issaquah Creek — Inactive as of 2007
- Redmond-Bear Creek — Inactive as of 2007
- South King County — Inactive
South King County groundwater management activities are governed by South King County Regional Water Association. This association disbanded in 2013.
Candidates interested in serving on a committee should apply to the County Executive. (For more information about boards and commissions: King County Boards and Commissions). The Executive, subject to Council approval, appoints committee members. The committees will meet at least three times a year.
Committee member–stakeholder types
The Committee consists of one representative from each of the following groups:
- previous groundwater advisory committee
- water purveyors
- sewer and water utilities and associations
- residential well users
- business owners
- commercial agriculturists
- every city whose boundaries lie within the GWMA
- one resident from Vashon-Maury Island
- chambers of commerce
- local environmental organizations
- tribal nations with federally-recognized rights within the GWMA; and
- as non-voting members one representative from:
- adjoining counties
- Public Health -- Seattle & King County
- Washington State Department of Ecology
- Washington State Department of Health
Staff
The Groundwater Protection Program currently has two staff:
- Greg Rabourn, Program Manager
- Eric Ferguson, Technical groundwater staff and field person