Small Water Systems

Contra Costa Environmental Health works with 125 small water systems to make sure that the cleanest, safest and most reliable drinking water possible is delivered to approximately 12,000 users. A small water system has less than 200 service connections. Those operating small water systems in Contra Costa County must possess a valid water supply permit from Environmental Health, provide an emergency notification plan in case of a health emergency and perform required monitoring and reporting of water quality as specified by state regulations.

Fees

• See our complete fee schedule

Applications

• County Application
• Public Water Systems are also required to complete the following:
  • State of California Water Supply Permit Application
  • Preliminary Technical Report
  • Technical Managerial Financial (TMF) Assessment form
    • Community and Non-Transient Non-community System TMF
    • Transient Non-Community Systems TMF
• Permit Application Instructions:
  • Small Public Water System
  • Domestic Water Supply Permit - (Required for Public Water Systems)

General Information and Handouts

• Small Water System Background and Requirements
• List of Certified Drinking Water Labs
• Revised Total Coliform Rule
• Guidelines For Resolving Bacteriological Problems - Level 1 Assessment
  • Level 1 Assessment – Groundwater with no treatment
  • Level 1 Assessment – Groundwater with treatment
  • Level 1 Assessment – Transient Non-Community Water Systems
• Disinfection Procedure for Water Wells - (Well Chlorination)
• Disinfection Procedure Storage Tanks
• Power Outages and Periods of Low Pressure | Spanish
• Nitrate Fact Sheet | Spanish

Laws and Regulations

• Contra Costa County Ordinance Chapter 414-4 Water Supply
• Contra Costa County Health Officer Regulations
• California Drinking Water Laws and Regulations
• Small Water System Policy

Forms

• Emergency Notification Plan | Template
• Emergency Response Plan | Template
• Operations Plan | Template
• Unsafe Water Advisories:
  • Boil Water Notification | Spanish
  • Do Not Drink Your Water Advisory | Spanish
  • Do Not Use Your Water | Spanish
• Statement of Notification | Template
• Bacteriological Sample Siting Plan | Template
• Additional notification Templates are available on the State Water Board website

Helpful Links

• California State Water Board - Division of Drinking Water
• United States EPA Groundwater and Drinking Water
• Templates for Public Notification
• Operator Certification
• Consumer Confidence Reports
• Electronic Annual Reports (eAR)
• Technical, Managerial, Financial (TMF) Capacity
• Funding for Public Water Systems
• CA DPH Food & Drug Branch Water Hauling License

FAQs

 - Frequently Asked Questions