News & Current Issues

Washington State Regulations

 The 2003 Municipal Water Supply-Efficiency Requirements Act
(Commonly known as the Washington “Municipal Water Law”)

This law provides water utilities with certainty and flexibility in the exercise of water rights while establishing reasonable and achievable water use efficiency requirements. It applies to all municipal water suppliers with 15 or more connections.

Managing water efficiently can help water utilities decrease expenses and extend the life of water system components.

Monitoring the amount of water produced and used can help identify leaks and needed repairs. Leaks are a major problem—and a special concern because of the possibility of bacteria or other contaminants getting into water and possibly causing illness.

Key elements of the Water Use Efficiency Rule:

a. Water Use Efficiency Planning. Water suppliers must collect data, forecast demand, evaluate leakage, evaluate rate structures that encourage water use efficiency, and evaluate or implement water use efficiency measures.

b. Distribution Leakage Standard. Municipal water suppliers must meet a state distribution system leakage standard in order to minimize water loss in the distribution system.

c. Water Use Efficiency Goal-Setting and Performance Reporting. Municipal water suppliers must set water use efficiency goals through a public process and report annually on their performance to customers.

For more information, visit:

Washington State Department of Health – Water Use Efficiency 
This is the law that requires all customers to be metered by 2017.

Water-Sewer Districts – Title 57, Revised Code of Washington

This Title of State of Washington Legal Code governs the formation and operation of municipal water districts – including SunLand Water District. It’s various chapters spell out the way we must operate the district’s activities.

For more information, visit:

Washington State Legislature 
Title 57 of the Revised Code of Washington which pertains to water and sewer districts.

2023 Consumer Confidence Report

The District

The SunLand Water District is pleased to provide you with our Annual Consumer Confidence Report for 2023. This report summarizes information about our water source, water quality, the systems required to deliver safe, great-tasting water, and the team that makes it happen.

The Sunland Water District is a municipal corporation, governed by three commissioners who serve a six-year staggered term. The board meets every third Tuesday of the month at 9:00 am. The daily operations team consists of a part time district manager, a clerk/bookkeeper, an office administrator, four full time, and two part time operators. The district also operates and maintains the SunLand Water Reclamation Facility.

The district provides water to approximately 902 residential service lines within the Sunland District, and another 15 residential service lines to the Southern View Estates community. If you have any questions about this report, or questions concerning the district, please contact the district manager at 360.683.3905

Source Water

Water is provided to the community via two groundwater wells, located within the district. The water supplied from the two wells is not treated, no chemicals added, and no filtration. The upper well (#S01) is 250 feet deep, and produces about 500 gallons per minute. The well has an adjacent 110,000 gallon above ground storage reservoir and a booster pump station, which ensures adequate pressure throughout the district. The lower well (#S02) is 123 feet deep, and can produce 600 gallons per minute. It has a 130,000 gallon above-ground reservoir, and a booster pump station. Each well site is  inspected yearly for possible sources of contamination. Emergency generators at each site provide backup power during a power outage.

Water travels through 11 miles of distribution pipes to all residents. SunLand water is moderately hard at 170 mg/L, or 10 grains per gallon calcium carbonate. (CaC03). Either of the two wells, and reservoirs, is capable of supplying the entire district in an emergency situation. A sanitary survey was completed on July 21, 2023 by the Washington Department of Health. The supply wells, reservoirs, and distribution system did well in all aspects of the evaluation. (For more information, please reach out to the district office).

The SunLand Water District has a senior water right which ensures that we have more than an adequate supply of water now, and for the foreseeable future. All water services are metered, and read monthly. The SunLand community is almost built out with fewer than 35 lots available.

Water Quality

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general public. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

Water Quality Definitions

PPM- Part per million: One part per million is equivalent to 1 gallon in 1 million gallons, one inch in 16 miles, 1 second in 11.5 days, or one minute in 2 years.

AL – Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

MCL – Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG – Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

ND- Non- Detected, NE – Not evaluated, ppm or mg/L – parts per million, SRL – state reporting level, ug/L – micrograms per Liter.

Trigger – Level where an investigation is initiated.

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects please contact the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water hotline at 800.426.4791

Water Quality Testing

Spectra Labs – Poulsbo, WA. Specialty State-certified testing performed for the district includes Lead & Copper, Asbestos, Nitrate, Complete Inorganic, Volatile Organics, Herbicides, PFAS, Gross Alpha, & Radium 228 samples.

Nitrates –   Sources – Fertilizer, Runoff, Septic.

Nitrates – Collected 10/06/23 from reservoir # 1- Result – 3.08mg/L, Trigger – 5 mg/L, 10mg/L MCL.

Nitrates – Collected 10/06/23 from reservoir # 2 – Result – 2.54mg/L, Trigger – 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L MCL.

Coliform Tested by Clallam County Water Lab – Port Angeles, WA

Over the past year, the district collected over 24 coliform bacteria samples. (Coliform is a bacteria that can be present in nature, and occurs in all human and animal waste. The bacteria itself is not considered harmful, however it is an indicator of potential contamination). There are seven coliform sample sites located throughout the district. Collection of the two monthly samples is rotated monthly between these seven sites, and the number of samples collected is based on population served. We are required to collect two samples per month. In December 2023, we had one unsatisfactory sample which required an investigation to find the source of contamination. Repeat samples, from the same sample site, also came back unsatisfactory; however, upstream and downstream samples were satisfactory, indicating the problem was with the sample station. After investigation, some corrosion was found within the sample station, and the sample station was replaced. Follow up samples came back satisfactory.

Upcoming Testing 

Coliform sampling – 2 Samples per month 2024
Nitrate – Reservoir 1 – Due September 2024
Nitrate – Reservoir 2- Due September 2024
Lead & Copper – Due August 2024. Sampled once every 3 years. Last sampled 08/05/21 with none detected in any of the samples.
Volatile Organics (VOC) Due July 2025 Sampled once every 6 years. Last sampled 07/17/2019.
Asbestos – Due September 2027. Sampled once every 9 years. Last sampled 11/05/2018.
Complete Inorganic (IOC) Due August 2030 Sampled once every 9 years. Last sampled 08/24/21.
PFAS – The forever chemical. Test Initiated by the Washington Department of Health. Waiting on state funding. PFAS Has never been tested for within the district.
Herbicides – Due July 2028. Last sampled 07/17/2019.
Gross Alpha – Due 08/24/25 Last Sampled 08/24/21.
Radium – Due 08/24/25 Last sampled 08/24/21.

Lead in Drinking Water

In the past year, the district has been tasked with identifying, and removing any water service lines that may be lead. Lead was commonly used for water service lines in the late 1800’s, until the 1940’s. Luckly, the district was developed in the 1970’s so no such lines exist. In Washington State, lead in drinking water comes primarily from materials and components used in household plumbing. The more time water sits in pipes, the more dissolved metals it may contain such as lead. Elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially in pregnant women and young children. We will be sampling for lead and copper on, or before, 08/05/2024.

PFAS

PFAS, (Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), or more commonly known as the “forever chemical,” has been found throughout the world, and dates back to the 1930’s. It is most commonly found in fire- fighting foam used to extinguish fires. It is also common in water repellent clothing, stain proof furniture fabrics/carpets, non-stick pots and pans, and food packaging. The chemical has been used since the 1940’s, and is very difficult to eliminate. The Sunland Water District has registered with the Washington Department of Health on state funding for the tests. Once approved for the testing, and testing is completed, results will be posted in this report. The good news is that only trace amounts have been reported on the Olympic Peninsula.

Water Operations

The water operations team works diligently each and every day to ensure we are providing the district with safe, high-quality water to all residents. We strive to address all customer service requests in a timely and professional manner. Licenses held include Water Distribution Manager, Cross Control Specialist, and Water Treatment Plant Operator.

During the late winter months of each year, one reservoir is taken out of service at a time, and is cleaned, inspected, disinfected, and put back into service. This maintenance usually is completed in December-March before summer flows ramp up. The distribution crew begins a fire hydrant flushing program during the spring months. This practice flushes any possible sediment from the distribution lines, and ensures the freshest water in service areas with dead-end mainlines such as cul-de-sacs. During the summer months, all water mainline valves are exercised to ensure they are operable in the case of a break, or isolation is needed for a larger area. These are just a few of the many tasks performed throughout the year.

Our goal is to ensure that we meet, and exceed all regulatory agency standards, and retain your confidence in us to provide you with safe and reliable drinking water every time a faucet is opened.

EPA/Center for Disease Control Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

Need to contact us?

SunLand Water & Sewer District
5762 Woodcock Road
Sequim, Washington 98382
360.683.3905
Office hours are 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Download a PDF version here: Consumer Confidence Report