Group B Rulemaking
Group B Public Water Systems
The state Department of Health's Office of Drinking Water and local health agencies share responsibility for
regulating Group B public water systems in Washington.
Group B water systems serve fewer than 15 connections and fewer than 25 people per day. The state’s 13,000 Group B water systems serve about 110,000 people.
That’s about 2 percent of our population.
Group B water systems are regulated
under chapter 246-291 (PDF) of the Washington Administrative Code.
We have developed guidance documents
to assist you in complying with the rule and for designing a water system.
Legislative Change - New Direction for Rulemaking
In 2009 the Legislature changed the
law to allow the State Board of Health (Board) to adopt rules for Group B water systems that do not require ongoing
water quality monitoring. The Board also received authority to
exempt water systems with fewer than five residential connections
from all requirements. View Substitute Senate
Bill 6171 (PDF)
Next Steps
We have been meeting with stakeholders
and our local health partners. To develop the rule, we need to hear
the wide variety of opinions about how to best oversee Group B water
systems. Then, based on what we hear in these conversations, we will
develop draft rule language to share with the public in late April
2010.
Rule Development
Timeline
The tentative schedule for the Group B rule
update is:
|
| April 2010 |
Meet with stakeholders and
interested parties |
| May/June 2010 |
Present draft rule language to stakeholders
and interested parties |
| Summer 2010 |
Brief State Board of Health about rule language |
| Fall 2010 |
Finalize rule language based on comments received |
| Winter 2010 |
File CR-102 to announce public hearing |
| Winter 2010 |
State Board of Health hears public comment and considers
rule |
| Early 2011 |
Rule effective |
For More Information
You can join the
Group B Water System Information e-mail
list to receive updates.
If you need more information, contact our Policy and Finance
Section:
David Christensen,
Policy Unit Supervisor and Rule Lead (360) 236-3153
Theresa Phillips,
Rules Coordinator (360) 236-3147
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