About   Northwest Water Systems

NWS is a private business, configured as a Sub-chapter S corporation. We are a Washington State-certified Satellite Management Agency. That is, we are certified by the state to manage small, independent water systems. We have been in the business of operating small water systems for over 20 years.

We currently provide management services to 250 systems in Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, Thurston, Jefferson and Grays Harbor Counties. We always encourage interested parties to contact the regulatory agencies regarding their views on the adequacy of our services.
 

Our staff carry the following certifications:
Water Distribution Manager II
Cross-Connection Control Specialist
Qualified Sanitary Surveyor
Basic Treatment Plant Operator
Professional Engineer

NWS is fully committed to the idea of small, community-owned water systems. We believe that this is the most efficient method to provide water service to rural and semi-rural communities. However, the regulatory burden on these systems has increased in recent years, and will continue to increase in the future. Therefore, we have organized our services to relieve local communities of the regulatory burden, while allowing them to maintain control of their water systems.
 

NWS is strictly a management company, concentrating our efforts on providing the best management services possible. We have excellent working relationships with most pump and drilling companies in our service area. If a system already has someone with whom they are working, we are more than happy to work with that company.

We are affiliated with Nicholson Drilling, a full service drilling and pump service company that has been in the business for over 50 years. In the event that a system does not have a regular repair provider, our relationship with Nicholson Drilling provides access to one of the premier drilling and service companies in the Pacific Northwest.

We do not own any water systems. It is our experience that the most effective ownership situation for small water systems is for the served community to own the water system. In that way, the homeowners have ultimate and direct control over this vital resource.

It is the objective of our management contracts to provide a complete range of services necessary for effective management of water systems. We do all of the tasks necessary to manage and operate the system. When problems occur, or decision points arise, we forward our recommendations to the system owners for their consideration and decision.

The Following is a typical, though not exhaustive, list of management services:

• Serve as the System's Designated Purveyor (for the System)
  
• Provide 24-Hour Emergency Notification
  
• Routine Operations and Maintenance
  
• Water Quality Sampling
  
• Regular Source Meter Reading
  
• Monitor Pressure Tank Conditions
  
• Monitor Reservoir Levels
  
• Implement Preventive Maintenance Programs
  
• Implement Capital Improvement Programs
  
• Inspect Components for Condition and Operation
  
• Provide Consumer Confidence Reports
  
• Water Availability Letters
  
• Update WFI
  
• Flush Water Mains
  
• Maintain Proper Records
  
• Determine Remedial Actions in Emergencies
  
• Arrange for Routine and Emergency Repairs
  
• Arrange for testing of Backflow Prevention Assemblies
  
• Read Service Meters
  
• Provide Utility Billing Services
  
• Maintain System Files
  
• Meet Public Notification Requirements
  
• Service Connections and Disconnections
  
• Develop and Implement all Required Plans, such as:
  
• Water System Plan
  
• Small Water System Management Program
  
• Cross-Connection Control Plan
  
• Coliform Monitoring Plan
  
• Wellhead Protection Plan
  
• Respond to the Press
  
• Maintain As-built Records
  
  In conjunction with our management services, we offer compliance assistance and engineering services. These services are designed to assist water systems to attain compliance with the regulations, and then stay in compliance. No matter what regulatory issues are faced, we can help.