SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5861

                    As of February 24, 1999

Title:  An act relating to alternative on‑site septic systems.

Brief Description:  Requiring counties to approve effluent disposal systems that meet national sanitation foundation standard 40 criteria.

Sponsors:  Senator Swecker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Environmental Quality & Water Resources:  2/25/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & WATER RESOURCES

Staff:  Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background:  The Department of Health (DOH) approves alternative systems for onsite wastewater treatment and prepares a list of approved systems.  An alternative treatment system is any system that is not a gravity feed or conventional pressure distribution system.  Local jurisdictional health officers may approve alternative systems if they have been approved by DOH and may place additional requirements on an alternative treatment system to reflect local factors, such as geology, patterns of development, or precipitation.  Rules adopted by DOH define treatment standards for effluent in terms of biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS) and fecal coliform.

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) provides independent third party certification of onsite wastewater treatment system performance.  The NSF standard 40, for class I systems specifies effluent from an onsite wastewater treatment system shall not exceed specific limits for (BOD), (TSS) and pH.

Summary of Bill:  Counties are required to approve alternative treatment systems or devices if the system is certified as meeting the National Sanitation Foundation standard 40, for class I systems or other certifying agency.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.