SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5129

BYSenators McCaslin and Rasmussen

Limiting the authority of the state board of health or a local board of health to prohibit on-site sewage systems.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 23, 1989; February 23, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Pullen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Desley Brooks (786-7443)

                  March 15, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1974 the State Board of Health adopted minimum area requirements for the installation of on-site sewage systems (which are usually septic tanks) on residential property.  In 1983 the board revised these requirements and made them applicable to all development.  The requirements are intended to insure a sufficient amount of area within which sewage can be retained and properly treated. 

The revised statewide requirements became effective June 30, 1984. On-site sewage systems installed prior to that date are not subject to the revised requirements, although they may have been subject to local requirements adopted earlier by a local board of health.

It is suggested that under certain circumstances, a permit for the installation of a septic tank or other on-site sewage system should not be denied for failure to meet these requirements.

SUMMARY:

An on-site sewage permit for a residential structure may not be denied because minimum area requirements are not met when the property on which the structure stands is surrounded by property served by systems approved prior to June 30, 1984.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Stan Springer, DOE (con); Eric Slagle, DSHS (con)