BILL REQ. #:  H-3418.1 

Read first time 01/13/2006.   Referred to Committee on Local Government.

     AN ACT Relating to providing water for residential fire sprinkler suppression systems; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.21 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 36.94 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
     When installed for the express purpose of providing a water supply for built-in automatic residential fire sprinkler suppression systems:
     (1) The property owner or system contractor is not subject to the imposition of excessive meter charges when slow and pressure requirements dictate that a larger water supply is necessary. Residential pricing schedules apply;
     (2) The property owner or system contractor is not subject to the imposition of water system development assessments; and
     (3) The water must be supplied from a single metered connection to the municipal water system and the connection must be sized to supply both domestic and system requirements.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 35A.21 RCW to read as follows:
     When installed for the express purpose of providing a water supply for built-in automatic residential fire sprinkler suppression systems:
     (1) The property owner or system contractor is not subject to the imposition of excessive meter charges when slow and pressure requirements dictate that a larger water supply is necessary. Residential pricing schedules apply;
     (2) The property owner or system contractor is not subject to the imposition of water system development assessments; and
     (3) The water must be supplied from a single metered connection to the municipal water system and the connection must be sized to supply both domestic and system requirements.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 36.94 RCW to read as follows:
     Water systems operating under this chapter are prohibited from requiring residential water customers to pay a water service availability charge, standby charge, consumption charge, or any other similar types of charges associated with available but unused water service, including any interest or penalties for nonpayment or enforcement charges, when the water connection is installed for built-in automatic fire sprinkler suppression systems.