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  • Backflow and Cross Connection Control by Coal Creek Utility District

    Helpful Resources Backflow and Cross Connection Cross Connection Control: Backflow Prevention, Installation, and Testing If your home or business has any of the following... Fire Sprinkler system Lawn irrigation system Swimming pool Hot tub / jacuzzi tub Livestock watering system Decorative fountain Hydraulic boat lift Water makeup lines (to supply a boiler or hydronic heating) OR if you are a business of (most) any kind OR if you raise farm animals... ...Washington State Department of Health requires you to: Have a “Backflow Prevention Assembly" installed on your water service; Get it tested annually by a certified backflow assembly tester; and Have your tester send a copy of the test record to Coal Creek Utility District. Forms: Backflow Assembly Install Specifications Backflow Assembly Testers Backflow Assembly Test Report What is a Cross Connection? A cross connection is a point in a plumbing system where the potable water supply is connected to a non-potable source. If a "backflow" occurs, pollutants or contaminants can enter the drinking water system through uncontrolled cross connections. There are two types of backflow risks: Back-siphonage: this is caused by a negative pressure in the supply line to a facility or plumbing fixture. Backsiphonage may occur during waterline breaks, when repairs are made to the waterlines, or when shutting off the water supply. Back-pressure: this can occur when the potable water supply is connected to another system operating at a higher pressure, or a system that has the ability to create pressure, such as a booster pump, pressure vessel, or elevated plumbing. How Do We Prevent Cross Connection? Water safety is a two-way street. If you have any of the items listed, a mechanical backflow prevention device can prevent backflow from cross connections. However they must be properly installed and regularly inspected to protect effectively. Should you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (425) 235-9200. What is a cross-connection? A cross-connection is any actual or potential connection between the public water system and a source of contamination. This could allow non-potable water or other substances to flow back into the drinking water supply. Why does the District have a Cross-Connection Control Program? To protect the public water system from contamination. The program ensures that backflow preventers are installed and maintained where needed, in accordance with Washington State law (WAC 246-290-490). Who is responsible for preventing cross-connections? The District is responsible for protecting the water system up to the point of delivery (usually the water meter). Property owners are responsible for preventing cross-connections within their own plumbing systems. What is backflow and why is it dangerous? Backflow occurs when water flows in the reverse direction due to changes in pressure. This can pull contaminants into the drinking water supply, posing health risks. What types of properties require backflow protection? Properties with irrigation systems, swimming pools, ponds, boilers, or any system that could introduce contaminants must have approved backflow preventers. Commercial and industrial sites may require more stringent protection. What kind of backflow preventer is required for irrigation systems? Residential irrigation systems may use an Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB) if installed correctly under plumbing code. Systems with chemical additives require more robust devices like a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA) or an Air Gap. How often do backflow preventers need to be tested? Devices protecting the public water system must be tested: Upon installation or repair After a backflow incident Annually thereafter (or more frequently for high-risk sites) What happens if a backflow preventer fails or is not installed? The District may require corrective action, including installation of an approved device or discontinuation of water service until the issue is resolved. How does the District track and report cross-connection control? We maintain records of all backflow preventers, inspections, and incidents. An annual summary report is submitted to the Washington State Department of Health. What should I do if I have questions or need help? Contact the District’s Cross-Connection Control Specialist. We’re here to help ensure your property complies and our water stays safe. Frequently Asked Questions

  • Your Questions Answered by Coal Creek Utility District

    Frequently Asked Questions General Sewer Rates For Customers For Developers ADUs Cross Connection Control Can anyone attend a District Board meeting? Yes, you are welcome to join our regular open Board meetings in person or via Zoom. These meetings are held at 2:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, at our headquarters building (6801 132nd Place SE in Newcastle). If a regular meeting falls on a legal holiday, it will be held on the next business day at the same time. Agendas can be found on our website under the 'Agenda' tab at www.ccud.org To attend by phone, call (253) 215-8782, using Meeting ID: 210 020 5821, and Passcode: 6801. Those attending by phone will be able to hear everyone who speaks. Should you wish to make a comment during a meeting, please contact us in advance—before 10:00 am on the day of the meeting at the very latest—by email at: customerservice@ccud.org or by phone at (425) 235-9200. Does Coal Creek Utility District's water contain fluoride? Yes. Water quality testing results indicate the concentration of fluoride in our water averages 0.7 parts per million (ppm), ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 ppm. The EPA’s maximum allowable limit is 4.0 ppm. Does Coal Creek's water contain PFAS? Your drinking water remains safe and protected from PFAS. PFAS – short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a large group of man-made/synthetic chemicals that do not break down naturally. PFAS began appearing in everyday products in the 1950s—from non-stick cookware and stain-resistant carpets, to firefighting foam—and have been building up in our environment ever since. Today PFAS are found in the bloodstreams of people and animals, in a variety of food products, and in the environment. In 2021, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) enacted legislation that requires Washington's more than 2,430 public water systems to test for PFAS in drinking water by December 2025. In 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final federal rule to regulate six PFAS in drinking water. Even though PFAS were not previously regulated, Seattle Public Utilities/SPU (our source of water) tested for PFAS in 2015, 2018, and again in June, July, October, and December 2023. All samples continued to show no detections for 29 PFAS compounds. In January 2024, Coal Creek Utility District began quarterly testing at the point where SPU's source water enters our distribution system, and like SPU, there have been no PFAS detections in our system. To learn more about PFAS testing and drinking water regulations, as well as the measures that Washington state is taking to restrict PFAS in products, visit the DOH website: https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/contaminants/pfas You can also learn more about PFAS from the EPA's website: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained Did Coal Creek find any lead in its water service lines? In 2023, mandates from the Environmental Protection Agency and Washington State Department of Health tasked all public drinking water systems (including Coal Creek Utility District) with developing an inventory of all water service lines within their service areas— including both utility-owned and customer-owned sides of the meter—in order to identify and remove lead risks. Much of CCUD's service area was constructed after regulations banned the installation of lead pipes, solder, and fittings, however investigation was still needed on older service lines. Using our Geographical Information System (GIS), we compiled a complete inventory of all services, investigated those with unknown materials, and submitted our report to the EPA and Department of Health in October 2024. We are pleased to report that Coal Creek Utility District found no lead service lines in any of our investigations. Where does our water come from? Coal Creek Utility District purchases the water we provide from Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), which sources its water primarily from the publicly-owned Cedar River watershed, and on rare occasions the Tolt River watershed. The source of this water comes from rain and melted snow in forested and protected mountain watersheds, resulting in one of the purest water supplies in the nation. These watersheds are vigorously protected by SPU through a comprehensive program that prohibits agricultural, industrial, and recreational activities in the watersheds, and no one is allowed to live within the watersheds. Can't Find the Answer? Give us a Call! (425) 235-9200 Choose a Category:

  • Hot Water Heater Tips from Coal Creek Utility District

    Helpful Resources Hot Water Heater Tips Adjusting the Temperature Because a standard water heater keeps hot water available at all times in its tank, water heaters account for about 17% of a typical home's energy use. If you plan to be away from home for three or more days, turn your water heater's thermostat down to the lowest setting, or turn it completely off. This will save a considerable amount of energy and cost. Electric water heater: To turn it down, use the temperature dial on the water heater. To turn it off, switch off the circuit breaker to which it's connected. Natural gas water heater: If you don't know how to relight the pilot light, just turn the temperature dial down, or switch it to "vacation mode," rather than turning it off. When you return home, restore your water heater to the normal temperature — 120°F is sufficient for most homes. Flushing a Hot Water Heater Hot water tanks should be flushed regularly as part of a proactive maintenance routine. Over time, sediment, minerals, and debris from your water supply settle at the bottom of the tank. This buildup can lead to several issues, including: Reduced Efficiency: Sediment acts as an insulating layer, making it harder for the tank to heat water effectively. This increases energy consumption and utility costs. Shortened Lifespan: The accumulation of debris can cause the tank to overheat or corrode, leading to premature wear and potential leaks. Inconsistent Hot Water Supply: A tank clogged with sediment may struggle to maintain a steady flow of hot water, impacting your daily routines. Flushing your hot water tank helps remove sediment, improves energy efficiency, and extends the life of your water heater. How to Flush a Hot Water Tank

  • Helpful Resources from Coal Creek Utility District

    Helpful Resources Forms and Other Helpful Information Customer Forms Application for Low Income Senior and Disabled Discount Application for Water Leak Adjustment Autopay Application Change of Address Owner / Non-Owner Billing Agreement Request for Public Records Newsletters Coal Creek Utility District publishes a printed newsletter roughly once each year. View past issues here: Spring 2026 2025 2023 2022 Spring 2021 No newsletter in 2020 (COVID-19) Special End of Year 2019 Fall/Winter 2019 We also include occasional articles in our Annual Water Quality Reports in the Spring of each year, which you can view here > Maintaining Access to Water Utility Infrastructure Keep It Clear District personnel need to access your water meter and fire hydrants easily and quickly. To do that, we ask that you maintain the following: Two-foot clearance around all sides of water meters, meter boxes, and fire hydrants. Two-foot wide pathway from the road to the meter box. Ground cover trimmed to 2 inches or lower around the meter box. Tree limbs trimmed at least six feet above the meter box. No vehicles or trailers parked over meter boxes. Think Before You Plant While landscaping adds beauty to your property, it can also block access and worse, cause damage to your lines. Plants, bushes, and ornamental trees may be small when you plant them, but can quickly grow over and block access. Read the labels to find out what their mature growth size will be, and plan accordingly. Roots from trees and shrubs may eventually grow into water lines and service boxes, potentially leading to costly breaks and service interruptions. Remember, customers are responsible for maintaining and repairing their own water lines. Keep an Eye on Your Meter By following these simple guidelines, you help ensure accurate meter readings, prevent service disruptions, and support the district’s ability to maintain a safe and efficient water system: Keep bushes and grass trimmed to the edge of the meter box. Avoid planting directly around the meter. Regularly check for leaks and monitor your water usage. Helpful Links and Additional Information King County / Metro King County Wastewater Treatment Division King County Assistance Programs King County Capacity Charge City of Bellevue City of Newcastle City of Renton Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) SPU Current Water Supply Conditions and Outlook SPU Water Quality Rain Water Harvesting Seattle Water Supply Operating Board Cedar and Tolt Watersheds Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts Saving Water Partnership Sno-King Water District Coalition Washington State Department of Health Environmental Protection Agency American Water Works Association (AWWA) Pacific Northwest Section AWWA PFAS Information: Seattle Public Utilities Washington State Dep't of Health Environmental Protection Agency PSE - Report Street Light Outages DrinkTap.org Water Environment Federation Waters Worth It Water and Sewer Risk Management Pool Backflow Assembly Testers - Washington State List Backflow Assembly Testers - Coal Creek's List Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Report Lead Service Line Inventory Map - Public Viewer

  • Special Announcements from Coal Creek Utility District

    Public notices and special announcements are posted here. Special Announcements Coal Creek Utility District Notice of Action and Public Hearing Determination of Non-Significance Notice is given under SEPA RCW 43.21C.080, that Coal Creek Utility District took the action described in (2) below on November 3, 2025. (1) Any action to set aside, enjoin, review, or otherwise challenge such action on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of Chapter 43.21C RCW (State Environmental Policy Act) shall be commenced by appeal to Board of Commissioners of Coal Creek Utility District on or before December 12, 2025. (2) Description of Agency Action: Determination of Non-Significance with respect to the Coal Creek Utility District Comprehensive Water and Sewer System Plan update. (3) Description of Proposal: The Comprehensive Water and Sewer System Plan update is a non-project action that addresses the District’s current water system policies and standards in accordance with the District’s framework, analyzes the existing water system and its operations, and recommends improvements to correct deficiencies and meet future service needs. This Plan provides the District with a guide to evaluate the impacts of future proposed development and land use on the water system. (4) Location of Proposal: The Coal Creek Utility District service area is situated between Renton and Bellevue, east of Lake Washington. It serves portions of Newcastle and Renton, and a small area of unincorporated King County. The service area is generally bordered by the City of Bellevue (Southeast 69th Street) to the north, the City of Renton to the south, Lake Washington to the west, and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park to the east. The District is located within Sections 27, 28, 29, 33, and 34, Township 24 North, Range 5 East, W.M. (5) Type of environmental review under SEPA: Non-Project Action, SEPA Checklist dated June 25, 2025, and DNS dated November 3, 2025. (6) Document Review: Documents may be examined during regular business hours at: Coal Creek Utility District, 6801 132nd Place SE, Newcastle, WA 98059. (7) Public Hearing: A public hearing will be held on the Determination of Nonsignficance (DNS) at: Coal Creek Utility District, 6801 132nd Place SE, Newcastle, WA 98059 on December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. (8) Name of Agency Giving Notice: Coal Creek Utility District

  • Meet the Commissioners of Coal Creek Utility District

    Coal Creek Utility District's Commissioners We're here to serve you! Peter Zevenbergen Commissioner Position #1 Email Suzi O'Byrne Commissioner Position #2 Email Kim Lane Commissioner Position #3 Email

  • About Coal Creek Utility District

    About Coal Creek Utility District Serving the Newcastle area since 1959 1/3 Founded by Citizens, Governed by Locally Elected Commissioners In November 1959, the customers of King County Water District Nos. 92 and 95 elected to consolidate and form King County Water District No. 107—which eventually became Coal Creek Utility District, a public utility system authorized by Washington State Code (RCW) Title 57 . The District is governed by a three-member, non partisan Board of Commissioners elected by citizens who reside in our service area. Commissioners are responsible for determining District policy, which is adopted through resolution, and for working with our General Manager to plan, organize, direct and oversee day to day operations, business administration, and regulatory compliance. Our General Manager oversees day-to-day operations, supported by a finance manager, operations manager, office and field staff. Engineering, legal counsel, and finances for the District are provided by outside consultants who are selected by the Board of Commissioners, report to the General Manager, and attend our Board meetings as needed to advise the Commissioners on ongoing matters. Meet Our Commissioners Coal Creek Utility District is a proud member of the Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts (WASWD) , the American Water Works Association (AWWA) , the Water Environment Federation (WEF) , and the Sno-King Water District Coalition . Water District History November 1959: customers of two King County Water Districts elected to consolidate and form King County Water District No. 107. July 1960: the District adopted a comprehensive plan for water supply that included the previously approved comprehensive plans for the former Districts. November 1960: the District created a Utility Local Improvement District (ULID) to purchase an existing pipeline along Lake Washington Boulevard from a private water company. This pipeline provided the District with an additional connection to the City of Seattle supply line. September 1961: King County Water District No. 102 merged with our District. August 1962: The comprehensive water facilities plan was amended to allow connection of the King County Water District No. 102 system to our facilities. 1967: tThe District constructed its first major storage reservoir, at 1.0 million gallon capacity, to serve the higher elevations in the District. This reservoir is still used to serve the District’s existing 580 Zone. 1969: Newport Hills Sewer District began a joint billing program with our District (their territory was within the boundaries of our Water District). 1972: Newport Hills Sewer District merged with our District; more about this in the next section... Sewer District History The original sanitary sewer system that is now Coal Creek Utility District's sewer service area included a sewage treatment plant that was constructed by the developer of Newport Hills, in order to serve homes constructed in that residential development. 1958: residents of Newport Hills elected to create their own sewer district to address regular maintenance and operation of their system. 1959: the first meeting of the official Newport Hills Sewer District was held in January; soon after they adopted a comprehensive plan that called for the purchase of the existing sewer system and treatment facilities, and described how sewer service would be provided to future development within the area. Funds were obtained and Newport Hills Sewer District formally accepted title to the sewer system in accordance with the adopted plan. 1961: a contract for disposal of Newport Hills Sewer District sewage was signed with Metro (Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle), which eventually allowed Newport Hills Sewer District to abandon its previous treatment plant and effluent disposal field. 1969: Newport Hills Sewer District began a joint billing program with our Water District. 1971: all maintenance and operations of the respective water and sewer systems were consolidated under one manager, with a single office and staff. This year the state law governing special purpose districts was revised to allow a sewer district to merged with a water district. 1972: the Newport Hills Sewer District was officially merged into our District, which was still operating under the name King County Water District No. 107. Combined Water and Sewer District History In July 1995 the merged District, which had been operating as King County Water District No. 107, officially changed its name to Coal Creek Utility District. Following the merger, several annexations brought the District to its largest size: approximately 8.5 square miles for the water legal area, and approximately 7 square miles for the sewer legal area. Annexations which have occurred since completion of the District’s latest comprehensive water and sewer plans include: 1995: a portion of the proposed plat of the Highlands at Newcastle, which added approximately 29 acres in the southeastern portion of the District; 1997: a 66 acre area adjacent to the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, which is part of the Golf Club at Newcastle; 1998: approximately 25 acres of land in the southwestern portion of the District, which is part of a residential development known as Lacrosse (Stafford Crest); 2002: approximately 97 acres in the southeastern portion of the District, known as Windtree; 2002: 21 acres in the southern portion of the District by the SE 91st Street Annexation In 1999, the City of Bellevue initiated an assumption of that portion of the District lying within the City limits. The assumption became effective on December 31, 2003. From that date forward, water and sewer system facilities located within Bellevue are no longer under the jurisdiction of Coal Creek Utility District. The District is currently contemplating annexation of an area in the vicinity of Southeast May Valley Road in response to petitions received from residents within that area. In accordance with District policy, we would be required to make additional annexations to extend permanent service to these areas, given they are within our service area but currently outside our existing corporate (legal) boundaries.

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