HB 596: Letting Annexed Properties Bypass City Water and Sewer Systems (2026)

Summary: Would allow certain annexed landowners to decline connection to municipal water and wastewater systems, potentially increasing long-term risks to water quality and aquifer sustainability.

ICL’s Position: Oppose

Current Bill Status: Committee - House Local Government

Issue Areas: Water, Wastewater, Groundwater

House Bill 596, introduced by Rep. Barbara Ehardt (R–District 33), would allow landowners whose property is annexed into a city without their consent to decline connection to municipal water and wastewater systems and instead maintain compliant private systems.

When municipal infrastructure is available, utilizing centralized water and wastewater systems helps protect groundwater and other surface water sources from nutrient delivery and contamination associated with septic systems. By not connecting to municipal systems following annexation, the potential for downstream water contamination from septic systems may increase. Cascade Reservoir and Payette Lake are prime examples of watersheds where nutrient delivery linked to septic systems has contributed to toxic algae outbreaks and declining water quality.

Further, residents who decline connection to municipal water service are likely already relying on domestic wells and would continue doing so. In many areas, there are limited aquifer studies determining water availability or capacity. Continued groundwater withdrawals from domestic wells may perpetuate and exacerbate existing strain on local aquifers, potentially affecting prior users and further stressing already allocated water resources.