SENATE BILL REPORT

                           ESHB 1999

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, APRIL 1, 1993

Brief Description:  Requiring back‑up power for public water systems.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Grant, Mastin and Veloria)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Sutherland, Chairman; Jesernig, Vice Chairman; Amondson, McCaslin, Owen, A. Smith, Vognild, and Williams.

Staff:  Ben Barnes (786‑7198)

Hearing Dates: March 23, 1993; March 25, 1993; April 1, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The state Board of Health is responsible for regulating public water systems within the state in order to ensure safe and reliable drinking water and to protect the public health.  Approximately 80 percent of these systems have fewer than 100 connections and are either cooperatives, mutual companies, investor-owned, or homeowner-association operated.

The recent windstorm left some homeowners without water for a brief period of time.  It is therefore recommended that public water systems be required to make provisions for maintaining an adequate supply and quality of water during emergency situations.

SUMMARY:

The state Board of Health shall include, in its rules, provisions requiring public water systems to be able to maintain an adequate supply and quality of water during a power outage or natural disaster.  The provisions shall make allowances for the size and nature of public water systems and for the financial impacts of the provisions on the systems.  The rules may not apply to public water systems with fewer than 100 connections owned by a nonprofit association.

The Board of Health rules shall also provide a process for acquisition of water systems by public water districts.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The adoption of emergency response plans by a water company is added to the list of Board of Health standards that the Utilities and Transportation Committee must consider in determining whether the water system operated by a company is adequate.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested March 23, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

The recent windstorm left many homeowners without water.  Public water systems should be required to make provisions to be able to meet these types of circumstances.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Tom Campbell, prime sponsor; Dave Arbaugh, WA PUD Assn.; Dave Clark, DOH; Tom Mortimer, Snohomish PUD; Mr. Mester, Valley Water District; Tim Sweeney, WUTC