SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6541

BYSenator Smitherman

Establishing exclusive jurisdiction of the department of social and health services.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1988

Majority Report:  Without recommendation.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Benitz, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Gary Wilburn (786-7453); Henry Yates (786-7708)

                  February 5, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 5, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Varieties of on-site sewage treatment technologies exist or are being developed as alternatives to conventional septic tank systems.  In many areas of the state, conventional septic systems are unsuitable because of natural soil and geologic conditions, yet the cost of providing sewers in many of these areas is prohibitive.  Many septic systems are aging or installed improperly and are malfunctioning.  However, under current standards many systems cannot be properly repaired using conventional technology because the lots are too small or the available soil depth is insufficient.  Over 600,000 on-site sewage disposal systems exist within the state.

State Board of Health regulations establish a procedure for centralized review of the approval of alternative on-site system approval.  Under this procedure, a Technical Review Committee within the Department of Social and Health Services must review and approve a proposed alternative on-site treatment system before it may be used.  Upon approving the system, the committee develops general guidelines for siting and use of the system.  Local health departments must review and approve the particular siting of a system, acting consistently to state guidelines. 

Due to staffing limitations, the committee has not met since September, 1986, and no new alternative systems have been approved since that date.  This has prevented permitting by local health departments for the installation of new alternative on-site systems that have been developed.

SUMMARY:

The State Board of Health is to enact uniform statewide regulations governing the permitting of alternative on-site sewage disposal methods serving residential units located along shorelines of the state for which conventional on-site systems would not meet state standards.  The uniform regulations are to require secondary treatment or its equivalent, design by a licensed professional engineer, certification by such engineer that construction conforms to the design, annual monitoring by a licensed professional engineer, and a permit from the Department of Social and Health Services prior to system installation.

The legislative purpose is to place with the department the exclusive jurisdiction over the permitting of on-site sewage disposal systems.  The use of such systems should be encouraged where it would serve to maintain or enhance water quality.  Consistent and uniform application of alternative on-site methods throughout the state is in the best interest of its citizens.

Corrective measures imposed by local boards of health upon failing septic tank drainfield systems are to be consistent with the state-wide regulations established for alternative systems.  Persons receiving a permit from the department for an alternative on-site system are not required to obtain a permit for discharge to state waters from the Department of Ecology.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 4, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Dan Leaf, Environmental Health Department, Thurston County (against); Eric Slagle, Department of Social and Health Services (against); Ed O'Brian, Department of Ecology (against); Senator Smitherman, prime sponsor; Kurt Mayer (for)