SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5105

               As Passed Senate, March 11, 1999

Title:  An act relating to revising the definition of public water system to include systems providing water through constructed conveyances, in conformance with federal law.

Brief Description:  Changing the definition of public water system.

Sponsors:  Senators Eide, Morton, Jacobsen and Winsley; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Environmental Quality & Water Resources:  2/12/99, 2/18/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/11/99, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fraser, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Morton, Honeyford, McAuliffe and Swecker.

Staff:  Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background:  In order to maintain the state's authority to regulate water supplies to protect public health, state laws must conform with the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.  The current definition of a public water system in state law does not conform to recent amendments to the act.

Summary of Bill:  The definition of a public water system is changed to say that water can be provided through both pipes and other constructed conveyances.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  If the state maintains its regulatory authority, it can continue to take a technical assistance approach to regulation.  No systems that are not already regulated are added.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Mike Schwisow, Washington State Water Resources Association.