SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2708

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Haugen, Rayburn, Cooper, Ferguson, Jones, McLean, Braddock and R. Meyers) 

Authorizing public utility districts to perform sewer inspections.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Patrick, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Rod McAulay (786-7754)

                  February 19, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 19, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Public utility districts provide sewage disposal in some areas of the state.  There is no specific statutory authority for a public utility district to perform its own inspections and maintenance of sewage facilities, approved septic tanks and septic tank systems, wastewater, or systems associated with rehabilitating surface or underground water.

SUMMARY:

A public utility district, if authorized by a county health board, may perform operations and maintenance, including inspections of on-site sewage disposal facilities, alternate sewage disposal facilities, approved septic tanks or septic tank systems, wastewater facilities and systems, and systems and facilities for the protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of surface and underground waters.  The public utility district may charge the system owner for the costs associated with the maintenance of private on-site sewage systems.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Tom Mortimer, WPUDA; Dave Lenning, Washington Department of Health