In 2016, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a ruling in Whatcom County vs. Hirst, Futurewise, that put new water well drilling restrictions on landowners in rural communities. While the court’s decision was meant to ensure that new development didn’t affect protected rivers and other landowners with senior water rights, many counties including Spokane County severely restricted permits for new home developments and subdivisions. Fortunately, a new law, known as Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6091, corrects these issues, making life easier for homeowners who want to develop their property starting with drilling a new well.

The Hirst Decision & Water Well Drilling

In the Hirst decision, the court ruled that each county had to make their own determinations regarding the availability of groundwater and the effect of water well drilling on the environment instead of relying on the Department of Ecology’s findings. However, many counties lacked the resources to perform the expensive testing to make these decisions. Instead, they chose to deny or severely limit permits for drilling, even on properties where a well had already been drilled.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6091

The new law is designed to protect Washington State’s delicate rivers and streams, while giving families in rural communities across the state access to the water they need. Under the new law, families will be allowed to drill permit-exempt wells for their homes, with a maximum of 950 to 5000 gallons per day, depending on the location. To protect water resources for fish and wildlife, it also allows counties to rely on state data to create long-term management plans and decide whether to issue permits.

For over 36 years, homeowners throughout northeastern Washington have relied on the” water well drilling professionals” at Fogle Pump & Supply for a wide range of services. Their team installs over 1,000 new water well pumps every year, using only the most advanced products on the market. To find your nearest location and discuss your water well drilling project, visit their website or call (509) 684-2569