WSR 98-18-074

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY

[Order 98-18--Filed September 1, 1998, 9:50 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revisions to chapter 173-230 WAC, Certification of operators of wastewater treatment plants.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 70.95B RCW, Domestic waste treatment plants--Operators.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Operators of wastewater treatment plants are responsible for treating millions of gallons of sewage every day in Washington. Public health and the state's waters are protected when these plants are properly operated and maintained. This regulation establishes minimum standards of competency for operators in charge of wastewater treatment plants. It also outlines the conditions for maintaining a valid certificate and the level of certificate an operator must have. The certificate level is based on the classification of the wastewater treatment plant. The regulation specifies the criteria for determining the classification of a wastewater treatment plant. Revision of this regulation will implement changes in the statute made by the legislature and also implement recommendations of the advisory committee.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: An external advisory committee made recommendations to the department on changes to the certification program that would require revision of the rule. This committee will be involved in developing the rule. Certified operators and owners of wastewater treatment plants will be mailed an information sheet explaining the proposed rule revision and informing them of opportunities for involvement in the rule-making process. Public workshops and hearings will also be held.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Myra Barker, Wastewater Certification Coordinator, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, (360) 407-6449 or 1-800-633-6193, fax (360) 407-6426, mbar461@ecy.wa.gov.

August 27, 1998

Megan White

Program Manager