PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-290-72010(3) Report contents -- Required additional health information, to incorporate the federal lead and copper rule - short-term revisions.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Health, Point Plaza East, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98504, on March 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: March 14, 2012.
Submit Written Comments to: Theresa Phillips, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47822, Olympia, WA 98504-7822, web site http://www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview/, fax (360) 236-2253, by March 8, 2012.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Theresa Phillips by February 23, 2012, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This proposal revises the requirement for Group A public water systems to report lead-specific information in the annual consumer confidence report (CCR) to be consistent with federal rule. The current rule requires lead-specific information be included in the CCR only if the system monitored for lead during the reporting year. The federal rule requires lead-specific information be included every year whether or not the system has monitored for lead during the reporting year.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 70.119A.080 establishes the department of health (department) as the state primacy agency for implementation and enforcement of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The primacy agreement between the department and United States Environmental Protection Agency outlines a number of activities that the department must do in order to maintain primacy for Group A public water systems. One activity involves adoption of regulations consistent with federal requirements. This proposed rule revision is necessary to be consistent with federal requirements and maintain primacy for Group A public water systems.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.20.050(2).
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 70.119A.080.
Rule is necessary because of federal law, 40 C.F.R. Parts 141 and 142.
Name of Proponent: Department of health, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Theresa Phillips, 243 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-3147; Implementation and Enforcement: Derrick Dennis, 243 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-3122.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Under RCW 19.85.025 and 34.05.310 (4)(c), a small business economic impact statement is not required for proposed rules that adopt or incorporate by reference - without material change - federal statutes or regulations, Washington state law, the rules of other Washington state agencies, or national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The agency did not complete a cost-benefit analysis under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(iii) exempts rules that adopt or incorporate by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, Washington state law, the rules of other Washington state agencies, or national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards.
January 30, 2012
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary
OTS-4443.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 11-17-062, filed 8/15/11,
effective 10/1/11)
WAC 246-290-72010
Report contents -- Required additional
health information.
All reports must prominently display the
following language: Some people may be more vulnerable to
contaminants in drinking water than the general population.
Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ
transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system
disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at
risk from infections. These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers.
Environmental Protection Agency/Centers for Disease Control
guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of
infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants
are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(800-426-4791).
(1) Beginning in the report due by July 1, 2002, a system which detects arsenic levels above 0.005 mg/L and up to and including 0.010 mg/L:
(a) Must include in its report a short informational statement about arsenic, using language such as: While your drinking water meets EPA's standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA's standard balances the current understanding of arsenic's possible health effects against the cost of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.
(b) May write its own educational statement, but only in consultation with the department.
(2) A system which detects nitrate at levels above 5 mg/l, but below the MCL:
(a) Must include a short informational statement about the impacts of nitrate on children using language such as: Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue-baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider.
(b) May write its own educational statement, but only in consultation with the department.
(3) ((Systems that monitor for lead within the reporting
period:)) All reports must include a short informational
statement about lead in drinking water and its effects on
children.
(a) ((Must include short informational statement about
the special impact of lead on children.)) The statement must
include the following information: If present, elevated
levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially
for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water
is primarily from materials and components associated with
service lines and home plumbing. (NAME OF UTILITY) is
responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but
cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing
components. When your water has been sitting for several
hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by
flushing your tap for thirty seconds to two minutes before
using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned
about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water
tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing
methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is
available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
(b) A system may write its own educational statement, but only in consultation with the department.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050(2) and 70.119A.080. 11-17-062, § 246-290-72010, filed 8/15/11, effective 10/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.119A.180 and 43.20.050. 08-03-061, § 246-290-72010, filed 1/14/08, effective 2/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 70.119A.080. 04-04-056, § 246-290-72010, filed 1/30/04, effective 3/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 (2) and (3) and 70.119A.080. 03-08-037, § 246-290-72010, filed 3/27/03, effective 4/27/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 00-15-080, § 246-290-72010, filed 7/19/00, effective 8/19/00.]