Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Environment Committee

HB 2061

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: Authorizing county legislative authorities to approve certain group B water systems based upon their delivery of water meeting safe drinking water standards.

Sponsors: Representatives Short and Kretz.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes county legislative authorities to approve Group B public water systems with nine or fewer connections based on the quality of the water delivered for indoor household use.

Hearing Date: 2/16/15

Staff: Jacob Lipson (786-7196).

Background:

Under state law, public water systems are divided into two categories: Group A and Group B public water systems (Group B System). Group A public water systems are public water systems that meet one of three criteria:

Group B systems encompass all other public water systems.

The Department of Health (Department) began implementing a new rule covering Group B systems that took effect in January, 2014. Under this rule, local health jurisdictions may adopt and implement their own Group B system regulations, so long as they are no less stringent than the Department's rules.

Under the 2014 rule, the Department or a local health jurisdiction must approve a Group B system's design and groundwater source prior to new or expanded system operation. In order to meet groundwater source requirements in the rule, a Group B system must draw from a source that does not show a presence of coliform bacteria or exceed a maximum contaminant level for certain water pollutants, including arsenic, nitrate, and mercury. For certain other contaminants, such as iron and zinc, the Department's rules allow the Group B system to treat a raw groundwater source that exceeds the maximum contaminant level, so long as the water delivered to consumers does not exceed the maximum contaminant level.

The Washington Constitution provides for two forms of county government: (1) a "commission" form to be established through general laws by the Legislature; and (2) a "home rule" charter form, which any county may choose to adopt. In counties with a commission form government, the legislative body must be the three-member board of elected commissioners; in home rule counties, the legislative authority may be an elected council.

Summary of Bill:

Irrespective of the Department's Group B system rules, a county legislative authority may approve the operation of a Group B system that provides service to nine or fewer connections, if the public water system demonstrates that the water provided by the system meets state Group B water quality standards at the point of water delivery and without respect to the quality of the raw groundwater source. The county may seek the advice of a local health jurisdiction in determining whether to approve a Group B system.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.