Subject of Possible Rule Making: Public water system fees as identified in  WAC 246-290-990 Water system evaluation and project review and approval fees. The department of health (department) is considering amending public water system fees to cover operating costs. This may include updating or restructuring existing fees or creating new fees.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 43.70.110 and 43.70.250 authorize the secretary of health to establish various fees associated with licensing and regulation of professions, occupations, or businesses. These fees should be set at a level that covers the costs of administering each program or license. RCW 43.20B.020 authorizes the department to charge fees for services. The department completed an initial assessment of the drinking water program and determined fees are not generating sufficient revenue to cover the costs of the program. The department will assess the cost of services provided and adjust or restructure fees accordingly to ensure that they cover the cost of operations.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Peter Beaton, P.O. Box 47820, Olympia, WA 98504-7820, phone 360-236-4031, TTY 711, email peter.beaton@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov; or Brad Burnham, P.O. Box 47820, Olympia, WA 98504-7820, phone 360-236-3102, TTY 711, email brad.burnham@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: The department will use a collaborative rule making approach by keeping interested parties informed of the rule development through email and posting information on the department's rule-making websites. Interested parties will have the opportunity to provide comments throughout the rule-making process and at the public hearing. To be added to the interested parties list, please contact Brad Burnham.