Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Environmental Health Committee |
HB 2870
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning maintenance inspections of on-site sewage systems.
Sponsors: Representative Bailey.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/2/10
Staff: Leslie Ryan-Connelly (786-7166).
Background:
The Washington State Board of Health (BOH) has authority to adopt rules for the design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of on-site sewage (OSS) system with design flows of less than 3,500 gallons per day. The BOH rules require property owners to complete an evaluation of their OSS system once every three years for gravity drain field systems and annually for all other types of systems.
Local boards of health must identify failing septic tank drain fields. A local board of health may adopt more restrictive standards for OSS systems than adopted by the BOH. A local board of health may grant a waiver from specific requirements adopted by the BOH for OSS systems if the local board of health determines that the waiver is consistent with the BOH standards.
On-site sewage systems located in marine recovery areas designated by the Washington State Department of Health (Department) or a local board of health are subject to enhanced OSS system regulations including inspections, inventory and identification, and monitoring to ensure protection of public health and Puget Sound water quality. The local boards of health in 12 Puget Sound counties must develop an OSS system management plan specifically to address shellfish growing areas and degraded marine water quality. The Department approves each county's marine recovery area management plan.
Summary of Bill:
Local boards of health are required to provide the option to property owners, or their designees, to self-inspect their OSS system if their system is designed to handle less than 3,500 gallons per day. A local board of health shall adopt policies to determine the qualifications required for the property owner to perform an inspection. Once the property owner meets the qualifications, the local board of health must certify the property owner as a qualified inspector.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 28, 2010.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.