SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 6349

              As Passed Senate, February 17, 1998

Title:  An act relating to membership on the committee that establishes external boundaries of critical water supply service areas.

Brief Description:  Changing membership of the committee that establishes boundaries of critical water supply service areas.

Sponsors:  Senators Anderson, Patterson and Swecker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Environment:  1/28/98, 2/3/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/17/98, 39-10.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Newhouse, Oke and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Paul Mabrey (786-7412)

Background:  A critical water supply service area is a geographical area characterized by numerous, inadequate water systems or by water supply problems which threaten present or future water quality or reliability of service.  The Secretary of Health and local planning agencies and water purveyors study geographical areas where such water quality and reliable service problems occur and designate the area as a "critical water supply service area."  The secretary, after consulting with the appropriate planning agency and local purveyors, appoints a committee for the purpose of establishing the proposed external boundaries of the critical water supply area.

Current law requires that the committee include a representative from each water purveyor serving more than 50 customers, the county legislative authority, county planning agency, and health agencies. 

Summary of Bill:  All water purveyors serving more than ten customers are to be included on the committee which sets the external boundaries for the critical water service area.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There are concerns over the potential size of the committee that establishes boundaries of critical water services areas.  Without the restriction as to the number of customers served, every water purveyor that serves more than two customers could be included on the committee.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Gregg Grunenfelder, Department of Health (concerns).