SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 499

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Unsoeld, Allen and Rust)

Providing standards for the issuance or renewal of wastewater permits.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 31, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Hansen, Kiskaddon.

Senate Staff:Henry Yates (786-7708)

                  March 31, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, MARCH 31, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1985 the Legislature directed the Department of Ecology to review all existing standards for wastewater that is discharged into Puget Sound.  The Department was directed to issue a progress report to the Legislature by January 1, 1986 and a final report by January 1, 1987.  The reports were to indicate if any of the standards needed to be revised in order to assure that all known, available and reasonable methods of treatment were being implemented.

In 1986 the Department reported to the Legislature that this task would cost approximately $800,000.  The concern was also expressed that it was more important to develop new standards than to review existing standards.  The Legislature did not appropriate any money for these tasks.  The Department claims that without funding, only one or two standards per year can be reviewed.

The Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, in their 1987 management plan for Puget Sound, directed the Department of Ecology to incorporate permit conditions that require all known, available and reasonable methods of treatment.  Review of existing standards was not recommended.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology, in issuing and renewing wastewater discharge permits, must incorporate permit conditions that require all known, available and reasonable methods of treatment to control toxicants in the applicant's discharge.  The permit conditions may include limits on the discharge of specific chemicals and limits on the overall toxicity of the effluent.  In no event may the discharge violate existing water quality standards.

The statute requiring the Department to review existing standards is repealed.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The toxicity of an effluent will be determined by techniques such as chronic or acute bioassays.  Regardless of minimum water quality standards or quality of the receiving water, conditions that require all known, available and reasonable methods of treatment to control toxicants will be placed on waste discharge permits.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Llewellyn Matthews, NW Pulp & Paper Association; Carol Jolly, Department of Ecology