ANALYSIS OF HB 2337

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                        January 19, 1998

BACKGROUND:

Rules of the Department of Health require water purveyors to send the Department or local health office copies of legal documentation regarding their ownership or control of the sanitary control area around the wells and springs used as their sources of water, or documentation regarding restrictive covenants established for the sanitary control area. (WAC 246-290-135(3) and 246-290-030.)  Purveyors must also develop and maintain a wellhead protection program for the wells and springs.  This program must contain: documentation of the purveyor=s notification to those with actual and potential sources of groundwater contamination within the wellhead protection area; documentation of the purveyor=s notification to regulatory agencies and local government regarding the boundaries of the wellhead protection area and inventory; and documentation of coordination with local emergency spill responders.  (WAC 246-290-135(4).)  Purveyors must have a watershed control program for surface water supplies.  This program is to include documentation of ownership and relevant written agreements for watershed control measures and documentation of water quality trends.  (WAC 246-290-135(5).)

SUMMARY:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must provide written notice to cities and counties having Group A water systems that serve a minimum of twenty thousand residences regarding upcoming chemical treatments of noxious weeds within state right of ways.  The notification is required to protect groundwater aquifers that are the sole source of drinking water for a given jurisdiction and to prevent the contamination of watersheds, controlled for the purpose of drinking water quality, from harmful chemicals applied during vegetation management along transportation right of ways.

Local jurisdictions are strongly urged to submit to their regional office of DOT the documentation required by WAC 246-290-135 as well as the local jurisdiction's policy on the use of chemicals to control noxious weeds.  The documentation and policy are to be submitted to help the Department better serve the unique needs of cities and counties and to ensure that chemical applications do not impact significant water sources.