FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 499

                                  C 500 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Unsoeld, Allen and Rust)

Providing standards for the issuance or renewal of wastewater permits.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1985, the legislature directed the Department of Ecology to review all existing standards for wastewater that is discharged into Puget Sound.  The department was directed to issue a progress report to the legislature by January 1, 1986, and a final report by January 1, 1987.  The reports were to indicate if standards needed to be revised in order to assure that all known, available and reasonable methods of treatment were being implemented.

In 1986, the department reported to the legislature that this task would cost approximately $800,000.  The concern was also expressed that it is more important to develop new standards than to review existing standards.  The legislature did not appropriate any money for these tasks.  The department claims that without funding, only one or two standards per year can be reviewed.

The Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, in their 1987 management plan for Puget Sound, directed the Department of Ecology to incorporate permit conditions that require all known, available and reasonable methods of treatment.  Review of existing standards was not recommended.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology, in issuing and renewing wastewater discharge permits, must incorporate permit conditions that require all known, available and reasonable methods of treatment to control toxicants in the applicant's discharge.  The permit conditions may include limits on the discharge of specific chemicals and limits on the overall toxicity of the effluent.  Permit conditions will be required regardless of the quality of the receiving water or the minimum water quality standards.  In no event may the discharge violate existing water quality standards.

The law requiring the department to review existing standards is repealed.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 97   0

      Senate    49     0(Senate amended)

      House 91   6(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987