Obtaining Water Service from JBWD

Applications for Water Service

Any individual, firm or organization desiring to purchase water from the District shall make application upon a form furnished by the District for the purpose.  There are online forms for three separate and distinct applications.  All applications for water service will be completed online. There is no paper form available. Water service applications will be reviewed and considered to balance fairness with those who inquired earlier, the potential benefits of new development, and the limitations of the water system.

All of the applications can be found on the JBWD Forms & Documents webpage

under the Customer Resources menu on the District's website.

Water Service Connection Application   This application is for those desiring a new water service connection, or those transferring a water service connection to a new property owner, or for an existing customer wishing to update their customer information associated with their water service account.   

• A Water Service Connection Application shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of its approval.  A Building Permit is required within two years of the application's approval date, the applicant must obtain and provide proof of a valid building permit from Island County for the parcel described in their water service application. Failure to obtain a building permit within this timeframe will result in the application being deemed invalid, null and void, and the water service connection will be forfeited.

• Water Consumption Requirement: Water Consumption Requirement: Within four years of the application's approval date (or within two years of obtaining the building permit, whichever is earlier), the applicant must demonstrate active water usage. This is established by an active water meter and consumption is being recorded on that meter. If a meter has been installed but no water is being consumed, then the tap may be classified as "unconnected". Failure to demonstrate active water usage within this timeframe will result in the water service connection being forfeited.

Water Service Availability Inquiry Application   If a potential customer wants to inquire as to whether water service is available at a particular location or parcel, they must complete this form. Checking if water service is available at a location does not create a contract and the District acknowledges it is not agreeing that any amount of water will be available in the future.

Water Service Connection Waiting List Application   At some times, the District may not have the capacity to provide additional connections to the District’s water system.  In this event, the District shall establish a waiting list for available water connections.  Any property owner who wishes to be placed on the Waiting List shall apply to the District online.  The District’s acceptance of this application shall not be construed as an agreement or representation by the District to the applicant that a water connection is available or will be available in the future. 

Water Availability Forms

Acquiring water for residential or commercial use is an essential part of the building and/or remodeling process. Both Washington State and Island County require evidence that there is an adequate water supply for the intended use of a building to meet health and safety standards and compliance with planning and zoning regulations.  Additionally, JBWD needs to confirm that our existing water infrastructure can support the increased demand that new structures will place on it, as well as maintaining water availability for existing users and promoting sustainable development practices for future water supply needs (resource management).

In order to obtain a building permit in Island County an approved Water Availability Verification (WAV) Form is required to be submitted to the Island County Health Department.  These WAV forms are completed by the permittee (landowner) and water purveyor (JBWD).  In order to check water availability please complete the  online application form JBWD Water Service Availability Inquiry. 

Obtaining a Water Availability Form from JBWD

• Property owners MUST obtain a Water Availability Form from the Island County Public Health Department. Do not contact JBWD directly for this form.

• This form needs to be sent to JBWD. Mail it to the water district's post office box.

• Prior to JBWD completing it's portion of the Water Availability Form, the potential customer must complete the online application Water Service Availability Inquiry Application found on the JBWD Forms & Documents page under the Customer Resources menu. 

• If JBWD determines water service is available to that parcel and a completed JBWD Water Service Availability Inquiry Application is on file, JBWD will then complete the form with the relevant water availability information.

• JBWD will mail the completed form back to the property owner.

• The property owner is responsible for filing the completed form with Island County. This can be done in person at the Camano Administration Building or by mail.

• Island County charges a fee for filing the Water Availability Verification Form.

• Key takeaway:  JBWD's role is to complete the form, NOT to provide the initial form or to file it with the County.

JBWD is proposing inclusion of specific criteria for

prioritizing Water Service Applications. 

Below is an explanation of how JBWD will ensure the fairness in prioritizing water service connections.

Prioritizing water service connections in JBWD