FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 2172

PARTIAL VETO

C 281 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions on the repair and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Grant and Mastin).

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions

Background:

A backflow prevention device prevents undrinkable substances from flowing into potable water systems.  A backflow prevention device must be installed in piping carrying used water, chemicals, liquids, gases or other substances that is interconnected with piping carrying potable water if there is a possibility that undrinkable substances could flow into the potable water system.

The Department of Health and local building officials may require that a backflow assembly tester inspect certain backflow prevention devices annually.  To inspect these devices, a person must be certified as a backflow assembly tester by the Department of Health.  To maintain or repair these devices within a building, the person must be certified as a journey- level plumber by the Department of Labor and Industries.

Summary:

A specialty plumber certificate of competency for maintenance and repair of backflow prevention assemblies is created.  The Department of Labor and Industries must establish, by rule, the criteria by which it will determine a person=s eligibility to take the exam for the certificate of competency.  The criteria must be established in consultation with the state Advisory Board of Plumbers.  The rules must take effect by July 1, 2002.  A person who, on or before July 1, 2002, is a certified backflow assembly tester and a registered contractor or an employee of a registered contractor, may maintain and repair backflow prevention assemblies, without being a certified plumber, until January 1, 2003.

References to licensing by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board are substituted for obsolete references to accreditation by the Coordinating Council on Occupational Education.

Local building officials may require an owner of a residential dwelling to test a backflow prevention assembly within the property lines of the premises either at the time of installation, repair, or relocation, or when the local official finds that cross-connection control may fail to prevent pollution or contamination of the domestic water supply.

Votes on Final Passage:

House904

Senate453(Senate amended)

House940(House concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001

Partial Veto Summary: The veto removes the section that limits when local building officials may require testing of backflow prevention assemblies.