City of Bainbridge Island
Managing our Groundwater - Bainbridge Island

Groundwater Management Plan

See link at the bottom right of the page for access to the Groundwater Management Plan Second Draft documents.

The Groundwater Management Plan (GWMP) peer review is now available for informal public review. All related documents can be found on the Groundwater Management Plan Engage Bainbridge website.

A formal public engagement process, including an opportunity to provide written comments on all the documents - including the peer review - will be held in the first quarter of 2026.

Bainbridge Island residents, workers and visitors rely on groundwater for all water supply needs—from drinking and cooking to flushing toilets and watering gardens. Groundwater also plays a vital role in supporting healthy streams and wetlands.

The City is developing a Groundwater Management Plan that will take an islandwide approach to managing our precious groundwater resource and will serve as a document that can be adapted as our needs change. The plan will include a summary of what we know about the island’s geology, groundwater systems, streams, lakes, wetlands, land use, climate and climate change projections, and population forecasts.

The Groundwater Management Plan aims to:

City of Bainbridge Island Groundwater Management Plan Goals and Objectives

Groundwater Management Plan Timeline

First Draft Plan Review (City sub-committees and informal public comment)
April 18 - May 16, 2025
Present 2nd Draft to City Council and Begin Peer Review
July 22nd through September
In-Person Public Engagement Meeting and Comment Period
TBD (Post peer review, mid-fall)