PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending chapter 246-390 WAC, Drinking water laboratory certification, to remove duplication with department of ecology environmental laboratory rules, chapter 173-50 WAC. The amendment will also establish reporting requirements of laboratory sample results to the department of health and rename the chapter.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.20.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current rules do not reflect the roles and responsibilities between the departments of health and ecology. Changes are needed to assure consistent, reliable reporting of data, and to rename the chapter to more accurately reflect the rule's current purpose of reporting data.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state board of health and department of health staff will coordinate with the department of ecology and the United States Environmental Protection Agency in developing consistent regulations.
Process for Developing New Rule: A workgroup is being formed to gather input about the formation of these rules. Other input will be solicited through mailings and the department's web site.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Theresa Phillips, Office of Drinking Water, P.O. Box 47822, Olympia, WA 98504-7822, (360) 236-3147, or Ned Therien, State Board of Health, P.O. Box 47990, Olympia, WA 98504-7990, (360) 236-4103.
November 2, 2006
Craig McLaughlin
Executive Director