SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6691

BYSenators Smitherman, Lee, Bender and Williams; by request of Department of Labor and Industries

Amending plumbing provisions.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 25, 1990; February 2, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6691 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McMullen, Murray, Smitherman, Williams.

Senate Staff:Forrest Bathurst (786-7429)

                February 2, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Labor and Industries is receiving complaints about the backflow of contaminated and turbid water into the potable water lines entering buildings.  This is caused by faulty installation of backflow valves where sprinkler systems tie into water lines entering structures.

SUMMARY:

The definition of "plumbing" is changed from any installing, altering, repairing, and renovating of the potable water supply system within a structure to the installation, alteration, repair, and renovation of the potable water supply from the water meter.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

"Irrigation system installer" is defined as a person who within the scope of his or her employment is required to install nonpotable water systems.  This does not include plumbers licensed or certified by the Department of Labor and Industries.

The definition of plumbing excludes water systems downstream of a backflow prevention device separating a potable water source from an irrigation system, provided, irrigation system water is not used for human consumption.

The Secretary of Health and the Director of Labor and Industries shall jointly establish separate certifications for backflow prevention assembly and crossflow connection installers and for backflow prevention assembly and crossflow connection testers.

The Director of Labor and Industries shall establish by rule the minimum education, on the job training, and continuing education requirements for backflow assembly and crossflow connection installers.

The Secretary of Health shall establish by rule the minimum education, on the job training, and continuing education requirements for backflow assembly and crossflow connection testers.

Persons working as irrigation systems installers for one year or more have until January 1, 1991 to apply to the Department of Labor and Industries for automatic certification as potable water backflow prevention device and crossflow connection installers.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Effective Date:July 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified:   Royal Waldock, Irrigation Services; George Wells, IAPMC Cross (con); Joe Brewer, Department of Labor and Industries; Ronald Radke, Mist 'er Rain, Inc.; Kevin Merrell, WALP; Ray Pettie, AWWA; Larry Stevens, Mechanical Contractors Association