Source: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/Law/WSR/2012/17/12-17-138.htm
Timestamp: 2020-08-09 08:30:35
Document Index: 201929330

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246', '§ 246']

WSR 12-17-138
[ Filed August 21, 2012, 4:40 p.m. ]
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-14-147.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 246-291 WAC proposing amendments to Group B public water systems. The 2009 legislature eliminated department of health (department) funding for the Group B program and amended RCW 43.20.050 and chapter 70.119A RCW directing the state board of health (board) to adopt rules to: Establish minimum design and construction standards for Group B systems; allow the board to waive requirements for systems with fewer than five connections; and allow local governments to establish regulations that are more stringent than state standards.
Hearing Location(s): Washington State Capital [Capitol] Campus, John A. Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Room 3, on October 10, 2012, at 1:15 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: October 10, 2012.
Submit Written Comments to: Theresa Phillips, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47822, Olympia, WA 98504-7822, e-mail http://www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview/, fax (360) 236-2252, by September 25, 2012.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Desiree Robinson by September 10, 2012, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This proposal shifts the regulatory framework of chapter 246-291 WAC to align the rules with the department's capacity to implement the rules. The proposed rules strengthen water system design and construction standards for new and expanding systems, strengthen new source water approval requirements, set more stringent water quality and quantity standards, improve public notification requirements, eliminate ongoing monitoring requirements, provide local governments flexibility to set more stringent standards, and allow local governments to waive certain requirements under specific conditions.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The 2009 legislature eliminated funding for the Group B program and directed the board to amend chapter 246-291 WAC as required by ESSB 6171. This proposed rule revision is necessary to implement these statutory requirements.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: David Christensen, 243 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-3153.
Section 1. What Is the Scope of the Proposed Rule Package? The primary purpose of the rule making is to meet the objective of the preproposal statement of inquiry (CR-101), and include changes to chapter 246-291 WAC, Group B public water systems, to be consistent with legislative intent. The proposal requires new and expanding Group B systems to:
• Meet water quality standards without needing treatment;
• Use a drilled well for the source of supply; and
• Follow more rigorous design and construction standards.
Under the proposal, all Group B systems must comply with more stringent public notification requirements when serious public health risks exist.
• Includes editorial changes so that requirements are more clear and understandable;
• Clarifies roles and authority of the department and LHJs;
• Updates language to mirror national standards that have been adopted in other rules (primarily in chapter 246-290 WAC); and
• Updates or removes obsolete references.
The proposal represents a shift in the regulatory framework that aligns the Group B chapter with the department's ability to implement it. The scope of this proposal extends to all Group B water systems in Washington state. Purveyors of Group B systems and their customers will be directly affected by these changes.
Section 2. Which Businesses Are Impacted by the Proposed Rule Package? What Are Their North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes? What Are Their Minor Cost Thresholds? There is one NAICS business code that applies to the proposal. Because most purveyors of Group B systems do not identify themselves primarily as a Group B system, the number of systems found in the state database is a small fraction of the total number of Group B systems in Washington state.
NAICS code NAICS code description Total establishments Minor cost threshold (1% of annual payroll) Minor cost threshold (3/10% of receipts) Number of establishments by employment size
49 and fewer 50 and greater
221310 Water supply and irrigation systems 159 $1,295 No information available 159 0
Section 3. What Is the Average Cost per Business of the Proposed Rule? WAC 246-291-060 Waivers, the proposed section provides authority to the local health officer or local board of health to grant waivers, but does not provide authority for the department or the board to grant waivers.
In counties in which the LHJ has accepted primary responsibility for implementing chapter 246-291 WAC or has developed a local ordinance, the local health officer or local board of health may grant a waiver to a purveyor of a proposed Group B system from the requirements of this chapter, except in calculating residential population1.
When a new or expanding Group B system cannot meet the proposed requirements for approval, the purveyor can request a waiver from a local board of health or health officer. Specific conditions outlined in this section must be met before a local health officer or board of health may grant a waiver. Conditions for a purveyor to obtain a waiver include, at a minimum:
• The local board of health or health officer must condition the approval by requiring the new or expanding Group B system to provide water quality treatment, monitor and report the quality of water to document that drinking water standards are not exceeded;
• The local board of health or health officer must condition the approval by requiring appropriate operations and maintenance; and
• The LHJ must provide ongoing oversight.
Cost: The proposed section does not create new treatment requirements. The only cost to purveyors seeking a waiver is the cost that the local board of health or health officer charges for processing the request. The cost of a waiver fee ranges from a nominal cost to $7602.
WAC 246-291-120 Design report approval, the proposed section includes two significant changes.
1. It eliminates the requirement for existing Group B systems to submit a water system plan update or design report for changes to the system that do not change the number of approved service connections.
2. It requires Group B systems intending to expand the number of approved service connections to complete and submit all documentation required for approval of a new water system under this chapter.
Cost: Under the proposed section, purveyors intending on expanding their systems will incur higher costs to obtain a complete new system approval for the expansion than they would have for submitting a design report under the current rules. But, many of the documents for the new system approval would not need to be generated because the information is the same as when the system was approved (for example, site maps). This results in higher costs than under the current rules, but lower than a complete new Group B system approval. Under the proposed section, the probable new cost for creating a Group B system submittal ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 more than the cost of meeting requirements under current rules.3
WAC 246-291-125 Groundwater source approval, this proposed section establishes requirements for drinking water sources used for new and expanding Group B systems. It incorporates requirements that previously had been in WAC 246-291-040 and 246-291-100. The proposed section contains several significant changes.
1. A source for a new or expanding Group B system must be a groundwater source from a properly constructed drilled well. Dug wells, groundwater under the influence of surface water (GWI) and surface water sources cannot be used.
2. A source for a new or expanding Group B system must meet minimum supply requirements, producing at least seven hundred fifty gallons per day (gpd) per residential connection for systems in western Washington and 1,250 gpd per residential connection for systems in eastern Washington.
3. Before submitting the system design to the department for approval, a potential GWI source for a new or expanding Group B system must be evaluated to determine whether the source is or is not GWI.
Cost: A purveyor of a new or expanding Group B system could incur additional costs if the purveyor intended to use a dug well, GWI or surface water source. Because the proposed section requires a purveyor to use a drilled well instead of a dug well or surface water source, the difference between the costs of a drilled well and the costs of a dug well or a surface water source represents a new cost associated with the proposed section.
The cost of a new well varies, depending mostly on the well depth. Most well drillers charge a set-up fee to pay the expense of getting the well drilling rig on site, a minimum charge for drilling a shallow well (usually fifty feet), and then a per foot cost beyond the minimum. A twenty to forty foot deep dug well can cost between $5,000 and $8,0004.
The costs of a drilled and dug well meeting current well construction standards (chapter 173-160 WAC) vary greatly depending on site-specific conditions, which confound the assessment of the cost differences between them. Most often, a purveyor drilling a well will have the well drilled deeper and obtain water from a more protected aquifer.
A review of the well depths reported for current Group B water systems in the department's records shows an average depth of one hundred seventy-five feet, with a range from twenty feet to over four hundred feet. Using the average well depth provides a cost approximation of a typical drilled well of between $8,000 and $20,0005. This estimate of a typical cost range for the average new drilled well will be used throughout the remainder of this analysis.
Most dug wells (allowed under the current rules) require water quality treatment because the shallow aquifer typically contains bacteria and other contaminants. Disinfection using chlorine injection is generally the most inexpensive method of treatment. The capital costs typically range from $1,000 to $1,500 and annual operations and maintenance (O&M) can cost $200 to $400 per year.
The cost of a surface water source (allowed under the current rules) with current surface water treatment in part six of chapter 246-290 WAC should be compared to the costs of a drilled well. The cost of a surface water source varies greatly, depending on the conditions on the site and quality of the water that determine the appropriate treatment technology. For a Group B system, the minimum costs are over $50,000 plus O&M costs.6 Clearly, after accounting for treatment costs, using a drilled well is more cost effective than complying with all current requirements for systems using a surface water source.
A purveyor of a new or expanding Group B system will incur additional cost if the purveyor intends to use a drilled well that does not meet the minimum supply requirements. In those cases, the purveyor would need to drill a new well for additional supply, or obtain water from an intertie with another public water system. Based on department records, fewer than two percent of sources for existing Group B systems would not supply a minimum of seven hundred fifty gpd for a typical six-connection system. However, the department's records are not complete, with about ten percent of systems not having a source capacity listed.
The typical cost range for an average depth well (one hundred seventy-five feet) ranges between $8,000 and $20,000.7 The cost of obtaining water through an intertie can vary greatly, and would not be a flat cost, but a monthly or yearly charge based on a long-term agreement.
New WAC 246-291-135 Interties, the proposed section establishes standards for purveyors of new and expanding Group B systems intending to use an intertie source. An intertie is a physical connection between two public water systems. Most commonly, a Group A system will provide water to a Group B system under terms of an intertie (or a "wholesale") agreement.
Cost: Typically, a wholesale water system already requires a signed agreement that establishes terms and conditions for service meeting the requirements that exist in WAC 246-290-132 for Group A water systems. Depending on if the purveyor of the Group B system uses an attorney to review and approve the agreement and other documents, the cost of producing the required documents can be from nominal costs to $1,000.8
WAC 246-291-140 Water system planning and disclosure requirements, the proposed section requires additional water system planning and disclosure documents to be submitted by a purveyor of a new or expanding Group B system.
• A purveyor must submit disclosure language to the department for review and approval as a part of the Group B system design submittal.
• A purveyor must record the approved disclosure language on the property title for all properties to be served by the Group B system.
Cost: Many counties in Washington have similar fee structures for recording documents. In those counties, the cost of recording the first page to the property title is $62. Each additional page costs $1. The proposed requirements would require recording up to thirty pages on the property title, depending on how many parcels the system will serve. Overall, the costs of the notification requirements would typically range between $70 and $100.
WAC 246-291-170 Water quality requirements for groundwater source approval, the proposed section incorporates water quality requirements from current rules that apply to the design and approval of a new or expanding Group B water system, including WAC 246-291-320(2), 246-291-330 and 246-291-350(1). The proposed section also makes significant changes to the water quality requirements for only new or expanding Group B systems. The proposal:
1. Eliminates the drinking water standard for nickel;
2. Strengthens the primary drinking water standard for arsenic from fifty micrograms per liter to ten micrograms per liter for new or expanding systems;
3. Requires purveyors to submit two coliform samples for a new or expanding Group B system design approval; and
4. Prohibits use of a source that exceeds a primary drinking water standard. Sources for new and expanding Group B systems cannot rely on treatment to meet primary drinking water standards.
Cost: A purveyor of a new or expanding Group B system could incur additional costs from the proposed section if the purveyor drills a well that exceeds the new arsenic standard. A purveyor intending to use a source that does not meet the arsenic standard can drill a new well, develop a one or two connection system without treatment or water quality monitoring, or develop a Group A system with treatment, operations and water quality monitoring as required under chapter 246-290 WAC.
Requiring one extra sample will cost a purveyor of a new Group B system between $30 and $40 for sample analysis, depending on what a laboratory typically charges for coliform analysis.
A purveyor of a new or expanding Group B system could incur additional costs from the proposed section if the proposed source does not meet primary drinking water standards. In those cases, the purveyor would need to drill a new well that meets standards, obtain water from an intertie with another public water system, or use the well for a Group A system with treatment, operations and monitoring as required under chapter 246-290 WAC.
Sometimes, if a well is contaminated with bacteria or nitrate, the problem can be resolved with the construction of a new well or deepening the existing well to obtain water from a more protected aquifer. Using the average well depth of one hundred seventy-five feet, the cost of a typical drilled well is between $8,000 and $20,0009.
There are cases when a purveyor will not be able to drill a new well that meets primary drinking water standards. For example, some geologic formations create high arsenic levels in groundwater supplies, and any well drilled in the affected area would exceed the primary drinking water standard.
The cost of obtaining water through an intertie can vary greatly, and would not be a flat cost, but a monthly or yearly charge based on a long-term agreement. As analyzed under WAC 246-291-135, intertie agreement costs can range from nominal costs up to $1,000.
Another option for a purveyor would be to create a new Group A system, and meet the requirements of chapter 246-290 WAC that allows for water quality treatment with requirements for appropriate planning, engineering and monitoring. The cost for the design and construction of a system meeting planning, engineering and design standards in chapter 246-290 WAC ranges between $30,000 to $50,000.10
WAC 246-291-200 Design standards, the proposed section modifies design standards for new or expanding Group B systems. A purveyor must design a system using:
1. Minimum residential population calculations;
2. Minimum water supply design requirements; and
3. Updated Design Standard References.
Planning, design, and construction of a new or expanding Group B system that serves ten to fourteen residential service connections using Group A system standards cost about $14,000 to $27,000 more than complying with the requirements under the current Group B chapter.9
This proposed requirement results in minimal implementation costs to new or expanding systems. Group B system storage requirements are more a function of a system's need to meet peak hourly demand (PHD) requirements; those requirements have not changed in the proposal.
WAC 246-291-280 Existing Group B systems, replaces WAC 246-291-130 Existing system approval. The proposed section incorporates the intent of WAC 246-291-130 Existing system approval, and establishes more specific requirements. The proposed section provides a route for purveyors of Group B systems created before the final adoption of this proposal to obtain a status of "adequate for existing uses" if the system did not have prior department design approval.
The proposed section includes one nonsignificant change. The proposed section authorizes purveyors of Group B systems that obtained departmental approval under current rules to provide service to additional connections, up to the total number of approved connections, without having to meet proposed requirements.
Cost: To meet the requirements of the proposed section, a purveyor could have to spend three to twenty hours reviewing the system's water well report, inspecting and assessing the well site for potential sources of contamination, and obtaining updated water quality samples.
The labor costs for assessing a Group B system's adequacy could range from $300 to $2,000 depending on:
• How much documentation exists;
• How much field work would need to be done; and
• If an engineer or designer would be required to complete and submit documentation.
Sample analysis would range from $400 to $500.11
WAC 246-291-360 Public notification, the proposed section includes significant changes for public notification requirements related to monitoring, including requirements for a purveyor to:
• Notify consumers served by the systems and provide information within thirty days if they are required to monitor for water quality under WAC 246-291-300;
• Notify consumers within twenty-four hours if a sample contains E. coli or has a nitrate level greater than ten milligrams per liter;
• Notify consumers served by the system within thirty days if the system has an arsenic level greater than ten micrograms per liter; and
• Use specific language for a consumer notice.
Cost: In general, the proposed section will not increase costs to purveyors. There could be minor costs for a purveyor required to deliver a public notice within twenty-four hours instead of thirty days. For example, a purveyor who lives in a primary residence away from the Group B system may have to drive some distance to deliver the required notification. In this case, the purveyor would incur costs for fuel and time spent in transit. However, the purveyor could rely on e-mail, fax or one of the system consumers to deliver the notice at a minimal cost.
The additional information required for public notification result in no additional cost to purveyors. Overall, the additional information required to be included in the public notice will be less than $100 (if required to drive to deliver notice).
Section 4. Does the Rule Impose More than Minor Costs on Impacted Businesses? Does the average cost per business exceed both of the minor cost thresholds? Yes. The compliance cost is expected to exceed the annual payroll minor cost threshold for some businesses with new or expanding systems.
Section 5. Does the Rule Have a Disproportionate Impact on Small Businesses? Yes. The rule may have a disproportionate impact on some small businesses.
A. Did we reduce, modify, or eliminate substantive regulatory requirements? Yes. The proposal eliminates ongoing monitoring requirements for more than thirteen thousand Group B systems. The proposal retains authority for the department to require monitoring for instances when it is necessary to protect public health and safety.
B. Did we simplify, reduce, or eliminate record-keeping and reporting requirements? Yes. The proposal eliminates record-keeping and reporting requirements. If monitoring is conducted, under either department direction or their own volition, purveyors must provide results to system consumers and the department.
C. Did we reduce the frequency of inspections? Yes. All routine inspections are eliminated under the proposal.
D. Did we delay compliance timetables? No.
E. Did we reduce or modify fine schedules for noncompliance? Yes. The proposal modifies enforcement provisions to reference only statutory obligations.
F. Did we create or implement any other mitigation techniques? No.
G. If you answered "No" for the previous six questions, please explain why it is not "legal or feasible" to implement any of these mitigation techniques. Not applicable.
Section 7. Did We Involve Small Businesses in the Rule Development Process? Department staff met with a representative from the Association of Washington Business [Businesses], and solicited comments on behalf of that organization, which represents both small and large business interests. The department held four public workshops and solicited input from small business and the public at large, and also met with various stakeholder groups to get feedback on the rule:
• Association of realtors.
• Association of counties.
• Building industry association of Washington.
• Drilling and groundwater association.
• Plumbing and pipefitters union.
• Public utility district association.
• Water supply advisory committee.
• Washington water utility council.
Section 8. Will Businesses Have to Hire or Fire Any Employees Because of the Requirements in the Rule? There will not be any jobs created or lost as a result of the proposed rules.
1In the design of a new or expanding Group B system, a purveyor must calculate residential population based on the statewide office of financial management average household population, which is 2.5 persons per household (WAC 246-291-200(2)). No waivers can be provided to this requirement.
2Summary of data gathered from nine LHJs.
3Based on information from a survey of consulting engineers. See Appendix B of the preliminary significant analysis for more information.
4Costs obtained from a survey of licensed well drillers. See Appendix B of the preliminary significant analysis for a summary of responses.
5Cost estimate based on a survey of consulting engineers. See Appendix B of the preliminary significant analysis for more information.
6Based on estimates from EPA-600/2-79-162a, August 1999.
7Costs obtained from a survey of licensed well drillers. See Appendix B of the preliminary significant analysis for a summary of responses.
8Based on an estimate of up to three hours of attorney time plus document production costs.
9Cost estimate based on a survey of consulting engineers, and information on nitrate treatment costs from the office of drinking water Yakima Watershed nitrate treatment project. See Appendix B of the preliminary significant analysis for more information.
10Cost estimate based on a survey of consulting engineers. See Appendix B of the preliminary significant analysis for more information.
11Based on costs obtained from department staff to conduct on-site investigations and system evaluation, hourly rates charged by satellite management agencies, and information from a telephone survey of analytical laboratory costs. See Appendix B of the preliminary significant analysis for more information.
A copy of the statement may be obtained by contacting Theresa Phillips, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47822, Olympia, WA 98504-7822, phone (360) 236-3147, fax (360) 236-2252, e-mail theresa.phillips@doh.wa.gov.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Theresa Phillips, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47822, Olympia, WA 98504-7822, phone (360) 236-3147, fax (360) 236-2252, e-mail theresa.phillips@doh.wa.gov.
OTS-3595.13
(2) ((The rules set forth are adopted under chapter 43.20 RCW and owners of Group B public water systems shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with these rules.)) This chapter is adopted under chapter 43.20 RCW. A purveyor of a Group B public water system shall comply with this chapter and rules adopted by a local board of health under RCW 70.05.060 or 70.46.060 as applicable.
(a) RCW 43.20B.020, Fees for services -- Department of health and department of social and health services;
(c) ((Chapter 70.05 RCW, Local health departments, boards, officers -- Regulations;
(d))) Chapter 70.116 RCW, Public Water System Coordination Act of 1977; and
(((e))) (d) Chapter 70.119A RCW, Public water systems -- Penalties and compliance.
(((3) Prior to expanding a Group B public water system to a Group A public water system, the entire system shall be brought into compliance with chapter 246-290 WAC.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-001, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(b) When the department determines that it is necessary to protect public health and safety, such as if the system serves a connection with a use listed under WAC 246-291-010 (62)(a) through (g).
CSE - comprehensive system evaluation;
GWI - ground water under the direct influence of surface water;
m - meter;
MCL - maximum contaminant level;
mg/L - milligrams per liter;
ml - milliliter;
mm - millimeter;
NTU - nephelometric turbidity unit;
psi - pounds per square inch;
umhos/cm - micromhos per centimeter;
VOC - volatile organic chemical;
WFI - water facilities inventory form; and
WHPA - wellhead protection area.
"Authorized agent" means any person who:
Makes decisions regarding the operation and management of a public water system whether or not he or she is engaged in the physical operation of the system;
Makes decisions whether to improve, expand, purchase, or sell the system; or
Has discretion over the finances of the system.
"Coliform sample" means a sample of water collected from the distribution system at or after the first service and analyzed for coliform presence in compliance with this chapter.
"Comprehensive system evaluation (CSE)" means a review, inspection and assessment of a public water system, including, but not limited to: Source; facilities; equipment; operation and administration; maintenance; records; planning documents and schedules; and monitoring, for the purpose of ensuring that safe and adequate drinking water is provided.
"Confirmation" means to demonstrate the results of a sample to be precise by analyzing a repeat sample. Confirmation occurs when analysis results fall within plus or minus thirty percent of the original sample.)) The definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(11) "Cross-connection" means ((a physical arrangement connecting a public water system, directly or indirectly, with anything other than another potable water system, and capable of contaminating the public water system)) any actual or potential physical connection between a public water system or a consumer's water system and any source of nonpotable liquid, solid, or gas that could contaminate the potable water supply by backflow.
(13) "Department" means the Washington state department of health ((or health officer as identified in a joint plan of operation in accordance with WAC 246-291-030(1))).
(15) "Distribution system" means ((that portion)) all piping components of a ((public water supply)) Group B system ((which stores, transmits, pumps, and distributes water to consumers)) that serve to convey water from transmission mains linked to source, storage, and treatment facilities to the consumer excluding individual services.
(20) "Expanding ((public water)) Group B system" means a ((public water)) Group B system installing additions, extensions, changes, or alterations to ((their)) its existing source, transmission, storage, or distribution facilities ((which)) that will enable the system to increase ((in)) the size of its existing service area ((and/))or ((its)) the number of approved service connections.
(21) "Fire flow" means the maximum rate and duration of water flow needed to ((fight)) suppress a fire((s)) under WAC 246-293-640 or ((adopted city, town, or county)) as required under local fire protection authority standards.
(23) "Generator disconnect switch" means an electrical ((circuit arranged to allow connection of a generator to the power supply for the pumping equipment while prohibiting)) device that physically prevents electrical current from flowing back into the main service line.
(("Ground water under the direct influence of surface water (GWI)" means any water beneath the surface of the ground, which the department determines has the following characteristics:
Significant occurrence of insects or other macroorganisms, algae, or large-diameter pathogens such as Giardia lamblia Cryptosporidium; or
Significant and relatively rapid shifts in water characteristics such as turbidity, temperature, conductivity, or pH closely correlating to climatological or surface water conditions.
"Group B water system" means a public water system:
Constructed to serve less than fifteen residential services regardless of the number of people; or
Constructed to serve an average nonresidential population of less than twenty-five per day for sixty or more days within a calendar year; or
Any number of people for less than sixty days within a calendar year.)) (24) "gpm" means gallons per minute.
(27) "Guideline" means a department document assisting ((the owner)) a purveyor in meeting a rule or statutory requirement.
(29) "Health officer" means the health officer of the ((city, county, city-county)) local health ((department or district)) jurisdiction, or an authorized representative.
(31) "Hydraulic analysis" means the study of the ((water system network evaluating water flows within the distribution system under worst case conditions such as, peak hourly design flow plus fire flow, when required. Hydraulic analysis includes consideration of all factors affecting system energy losses)) Group B system's distribution main and storage network to determine the system's present or future adequacy for providing service to consumers within the established design parameters for the system under peak flow conditions, including fire flow. The analysis establishes the adequacy of design for distribution system components such as piping, elevated storage, booster stations or similar facilities used to pump and convey water to consumers.
(39) "MCL (maximum contaminant level (((MCL)))" means the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water ((delivered)) the purveyor delivers to any ((public water)) Group B system ((user)) consumer, measured at the source before entry to the distribution system.
(("Maximum contaminant level violation" means a confirmed measurement above the MCL and for a duration of time, where applicable.
"Owner" means any agency, subdivision of the state, municipal corporation, firm, company, mutual or cooperative association, institution, partnership, or person or any other entity that holds as property, a public water system.)) (40) "MDD (maximum day demand)" means the highest actual or estimated quantity of water that is, or is expected to be, used over a twenty-four hour period, excluding unusual events or emergencies.
(46) "PHD (peak hourly ((design flow)) demand)" means the maximum rate of water use, excluding fire flow((, which)) that can ((be expected to ever)) occur within a defined service area over a continuous sixty minute time period. PHD is typically expressed in gallons per minute (gpm).
(47) "Potable" means water ((suitable)) safe for ((drinking by the public)) human consumption.
(("Pressure zone" means a distribution system whereby an established minimum and maximum pressure range can be maintained without the use of ancillary control equipment (e.g., booster pumps, pressure reducing valves, etc.).)) (48) "Potential GWI" means a source identified by the department or local health jurisdiction as possibly under the direct influence of surface water including, but not limited to a:
(49) "Primary ((standards)) MCL" means a standard((s)) based on chronic, nonacute, or acute human health effects.
(51) "Public water system" means any system providing water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, excluding a system serving only one single-family residence and a system with four or fewer service connections all of which serve residences on the same farm((, providing piped water for human consumption, including)). The term includes:
(a) Collection, treatment, storage, or distribution facilities under the control of a purveyor and used primarily in connection with ((such)) the system((.
"Repeat sample" means a sample collected to confirm the results of a previous analysis.)); and
(56) "Same farm" means a parcel of land or series of parcels ((which are)) connected by covenants and devoted to the production of livestock or agricultural commodities for commercial purposes ((and does not qualify as a Group A water system)).
(60) "Secondary ((standards)) MCL" means a standard((s)) based on factors other than health effects ((such as taste and odor)).
(("Sell" means to bill separately for drinking water or to include drinking water as part of an itemized listing in a bill delivered to customers, where the amount billed is an increase over what the purveyor pays for water. The presence of centralized source or individual service meters does not affect whether the water is being sold.))
(61) "Service connection" means a ((connection to a public water system designed to provide potable water)) residential, nonresidential, or recreational service connection as defined in this section.
(("Special purpose sample" means a sample collected for reasons other than the monitoring compliance specified in this chapter.
"Standard methods" means the 18th edition of the book, titled Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, jointly published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association (AWWA), and Water Pollution Control Federation. This book is available through public libraries or may be ordered from AWWA, 6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80235.
"State board of health" and "board" means the board created by RCW 43.20.030.)) (62) "Single family residence" means a structure in which one or more persons maintain a common household. A structure is not a single family residence if it is used for an activity requiring a permit or license under one or more of the following rules:
(("Volatile organic chemical (VOC)" means a manufactured carbon-based chemical that vaporizes quickly at standard pressure and temperature.
"Water facilities inventory form (WFI)" means the department form summarizing each public water system's characteristics.
"Well field" means a group of wells one system owns or controls which:
Draw from the same aquifer or aquifers as determined by comparable inorganic chemical analysis; and
Discharge water through a common pipe and the common pipe shall allow for collection of a single sample before the first distribution system connection.)) (65) "WSDOT" means Washington state department of transportation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 95-20-078, § 246-291-010, filed 10/4/95, effective 11/4/95; 94-14-002, § 246-291-010, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
WAC 246-291-025 Bottled water and ice-making facilities. (1) ((Any)) Water sources used ((for bottling, regardless of size,)) by a facility that produces bottled water or ice for public consumption shall meet the ((minimum)) requirements ((in accordance with)) under chapter 246-290 WAC.
(2) In addition to the requirements ((imposed by the department)) under chapter 246-290 WAC, the processing of bottled water and ice is regulated by the state department of agriculture under chapter 69.07 RCW, and the United States Food and Drug Administration under 21 C.F.R. 165.110.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 95-20-078, § 246-291-025, filed 10/4/95, effective 11/4/95; 94-14-002, § 246-291-025, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(b) The ((department and the health officer for each local health jurisdiction may develop a joint plan of operation. Responsibility for administering these rules shall remain with the department of health unless there is a joint plan of operation in place. This plan shall:
(a) List the roles and responsibilities and specifically designate those systems for which the department and local health officer have primary responsibility;
(b) Provide a list of water system requirements and procedures which the local board of health may waive for systems within its jurisdiction;
(c) Provide for a level of water system supervision necessary to effectively achieve listed responsibilities;
Wherever in these rules the term "department" is used, the term "health officer" may be substituted based on the terms of this joint plan of operation.
(2) The)) local health jurisdiction has accepted primary responsibility for administering this chapter in a JPR.
(4) A local board of health may adopt rules ((pursuant to RCW 70.05.060 governing public water systems for which the health officer has assumed primary responsibility. Adopted local board of health rules shall be:
(a) No less stringent and may be more stringent than this chapter; and
(b) Revised, if necessary, within twelve months after the effective date of revised state board of health rules. During this time period, existing local rules shall remain in effect, except provisions of the revised state board of health rules which are more stringent than the local board of health rules shall apply.
(3) For residential systems with only two services, the department may eliminate any or all requirements of these rules.
(4) For any residential system, the department may eliminate all ongoing requirements of these rules, except for recordkeeping and reporting requirements under WAC 246-291-260, provided the system has been granted an initial approval or an existing system has been categorized as fully approved/adequate or provisionally approved.
(5) The health officer may approve design reports and water system plans which reflect good engineering practice such as those found in the department guideline titled Group B Water System Approval, for those public water systems where the health officer has assumed primary responsibility.
(6) The health officer may allow system owners to substitute results of a calculated fixed radius method and a ten year time of travel criteria instead of using the six hundred foot radius prescribed in WAC 246-291-100 (2)(f) and 246-291-110 (3)(f).
(7) The department may develop and distribute guidelines to clarify sections of the rules as needed.
(8) Fees may be charged by the department of health as authorized in RCW 43.20B.020 and by local health agencies as authorized in RCW 70.05.060 to recover all or a portion of the costs incurred in administering these rules)) that require a purveyor of a Group B system to obtain an annual operating permit as authorized under RCW 70.119A.130.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 95-20-078, § 246-291-030, filed 10/4/95, effective 11/4/95; 94-14-002, § 246-291-030, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(e) Imposition of civil penalties as authorized under chapter 70.119A RCW or local authority where applicable; and
(f) Legal action by the attorney general or local prosecutor.
(2) When enforcing the MCLs under this chapter, the department shall enforce compliance with the primary MCLs as its first priority)) under RCW 70.119A.030 and 70.119A.040.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-050, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(2) Consideration by the board or local health officer of requests for waivers shall)) A health officer or local board of health may grant a waiver from the requirements of this chapter, provided that:
(b) The health officer conditions the approval of a waiver to include, at a minimum:
(c) The health officer obtains sufficient evidence from a purveyor that a proposed Group B system will deliver drinking water that does not exceed a primary MCL under WAC 246-291-170, and will provide an adequate supply of water under WAC 246-291-125(3).
(2) The health officer shall not grant a waiver from the residential population requirement for each dwelling unit under WAC 246-291-200(2).
(3) A request for a waiver is not ((be)) considered an adjudicative proceeding((s)) as ((that term is)) defined ((in)) under chapter 34.05 RCW.
(((3) Statements and written material regarding the request may be presented to the board or local health officer wherein the application will be considered.))
(4) ((The board or local health officer may grant a waiver if it determines the water system is unable to comply with the requirements and granting of the waiver will not result in an unreasonable risk to the health of consumers. No waivers may be granted for exceedance of a primary MCL.
(5))) A waiver granted under this section shall ((lapse two)) expire five years from the date of issuance ((unless the water system project has been completed or an extension is granted)) if construction of the Group B system is not completed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-060, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(a) Installing a new ((water)) Group B system((, or water system extension or improvement with the following exceptions:
(a) Installation of valves, fittings, and meters)); or
(b) ((Repair of a system component or replacement with a similar component of the same capacity; and
(c) Maintenance or painting of surfaces not contacting potable water.)) Providing service to more than the current approved number of service connections.
(2) ((Design reports submitted for approval by owners of systems required to have a water system plan, will not be considered for approval unless there is a current approved water system plan and the plan adequately addresses the project.
(3) Design reports shall include, at a minimum, the following:)) To obtain design report approval for a Group B system, a purveyor shall provide a copy of the following, at a minimum, to the department or health officer:
(a) ((Alternatives. Verify contacts with other water system owners as applicable in accordance with WAC 246-291-140(2);)) Documentation that creating a new system or expanding an existing system does not conflict with any applicable coordinated water system plan adopted under chapter 246-293 WAC;
(b) ((Legal considerations. Identify legal aspects such as ownership, right of way, sanitary control area, and restrictive covenants;)) Documentation that creating a new system complies with the SMA requirements under RCW 70.119A.060(2);
(c) ((Engineering calculations. Describe how the project complies with the design considerations;)) Source approval under WAC 246-291-125 or 246-291-135;
(d) ((Drawings. Include detailed drawings of each project component;)) Documentation that all requirements under WAC 246-291-140 are met;
(ii) Material specifications((. List detailed material specifications)) for each project component;
(((f))) (iii) Construction specifications((. List detailed construction specifications)) and assembly techniques ((for carrying out the project));
(((g))) (iv) Testing((. Identify testing)) criteria and procedures ((for each applicable portion of the project)); and
(((h))) (v) A description of disinfection((. Identify specific disinfection)) procedures ((which must conform with American Water Works Association standards or other standards acceptable by the department;
(i) Inspection. Identify provisions for inspection of the installation of each project component. See WAC 246-291-040 for construction reporting requirements; and
(j) Change orders. All changes except for minor field revisions must be submitted to and approved by the department in writing.
(4) Approval of design reports shall be in effect for two years unless the department determines a need to withdraw the approval. An extension of the approval may be obtained by submitting a status report and a written schedule for completion. Extensions may be subject to additional terms and conditions imposed by the department)) as required under WAC 246-291-220.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-120, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(iii) The perimeter of a one hundred foot SCA, meeting the requirements in subsection (4) of this section.
(a) The water system plan shall:
(i) Identify present and future needs;
(ii) Set forth means for meeting those needs; and
(iii) Do so in a manner consistent with other relevant plans and local, state, and federal laws.
(b) Owners of the following categories of systems shall ensure the development and submittal of a water system plan for review and approval by the department:
(i) All systems as required by chapter 70.116 RCW the Public Water System Coordination Act of 1977 and chapter 246-293 WAC;
(ii) Any system experiencing problems related to planning, operation, and/or management as determined by the department and outlined in a departmental order;
(iii) Any proposed or expanding system as determined by the department; and
(iv) Any system which installs treatment, other than simple chlorination disinfection equipment, after the effective date of these regulations.
(c) A department guideline titled Group B Water System Approval is available from the department to assist owners in developing this plan. Design reports may be combined with a water system plan. To the extent to which they are applicable, the water system plan shall address the following elements:
(i) Description of system management and ownership;
(ii) Description of appropriate water quality monitoring and reporting requirements;
(iii) Service area and identification of existing and proposed major facilities;
(iv) Maximum number of connections the system can safely and reliably support;
(v) Water conservation program. Systems which are developed or expanded after the effective date of this rule shall develop a conservation program;
(vi) Relationship and compatibility with other plans;
(vii) Description of water source(s) including compliance with applicable source approval and protection under WAC 246-291-100 and 246-291-110;
(viii) Source protection (including required protective covenants, wellhead protection and watershed control where applicable); and
(ix) Financial viability.
(2) Prior to developing a new water system, the developer of the proposed system shall follow the steps listed below as applicable:
(a) The developer shall ensure that the new system is owned or operated by a department-approved satellite management agency (SMA), or if a department-approved SMA is not available, that the proposed new system has a department-approved water system plan in accordance with WAC 246-291-140;
(b) Department approval of any system created after July 22, 1995, that is not owned or operated by a SMA shall be conditioned upon future management or ownership by a SMA, if such management or ownership can be made with reasonable economy and efficiency, or upon periodic review of the system's operational history to determine its ability to meet the department's financial viability and other operating requirements.
(c) If the proposed system is located within the boundaries of a critical water supply service area, the ability to develop an independent system shall be governed by the provisions of the Public Water System Coordination Act, chapter 70.116 RCW and chapter 246-293 WAC, and will be subject to the jurisdictional coordinated water system plan; or
(d) If the proposed system consists of a surface water or GWI source, ensure that the proposed system will be owned and operated by a department-approved satellite system management agency.
(3) For systems approved after the effective date of these rules, a summary of the following shall be recorded, by the system owner, on all affected property titles as a means of providing information about the system to property owners, lending institutions, and other potentially affected parties:
(a) Notice that the property is served by a public water system;
(b) The initial water system plan, planning section of the Group B Water System Guideline, or equivalent information from other documents as determined by the department;
(c) Notice that the system is subject to state and local rules;
(d) Recommendation to check with the jurisdictional regulatory authority on the current system status;
(e) Notice that fees may be assessed by the department for providing information on a public water system;
(f) Requirement for satellite management, if applicable;
(g) Notice of any waivers granted to the system; and
(h) Other information required by the department.)) (1) A purveyor submitting a new or expanding Group B system design for approval shall provide the following information to the department or health officer:
(f) A copy of any waiver granted under WAC 246-291-060 to the purveyor;
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 95-20-078, § 246-291-140, filed 10/4/95, effective 11/4/95; 94-14-002, § 246-291-140, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(b) Results from one raw source water sample that have been analyzed for, and do not exceed, any primary MCL in Table 2 of this section; and
Note: *The arsenic MCL in Table 2 applies to new and expanding Group B systems. For Group B systems constructed prior to January 1, 2013, the arsenic MCL is 0.05 mg/L. WAC 246-291-360 (3) and (4) establish public notification requirements for Group B systems constructed prior to January 1, 2013, with an arsenic concentration exceeding 0.010 mg/L.
(a) The department ((in the)) guideline titled Group B Water System ((Approval)) Design Guidelines (2012);
(2) ((In addition, owners of new or expanding public water systems shall ensure the following factors are addressed:
(a) Local conditions, plans and/or regulations;
(b) Public Water System Coordination Act considerations where appropriate; and
(c) Other requirements as determined by the department.
(3) Any pipe, pipe fittings, solder, or flux used in the installation or repair of a public water system shall be lead-free. Within the context of this section, lead-free shall mean having no more than eight percent lead in pipes and pipe fittings, and no more than two-tenths of one percent lead in solder and flux. This prohibition shall not apply to leaded joints necessary for the repair of cast iron pipes.)) A purveyor submitting a new or expanding Group B system design for approval shall:
(3) A purveyor shall demonstrate that the source(s) of supply, pipes and other constructed conveyances are capable of meeting the minimum residential water supply as required under WAC 246-291-125(3) Table 1.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-200, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
WAC 246-291-205 Drinking water materials and additives. (1) In the design of a new or expanding Group B system, all materials shall conform to the ANSI/NSF Standard 61 if in substantial contact with potable water supplies.
(2) Substantial contact means the degree that a component is in contact with drinking water.
(a) Examples of water system components considered to be in substantial contact with drinking water include, but are not limited to:
(i) Storage reservoir interiors, liners, or covers;
(ii) Treatment, transmission, and distribution piping; or
(iii) Other water system components that have high potential for contact with drinking water, such as filter media, absorption media, ion exchange resins, and pressure vessels.
(b) Materials such as valves, pipe fittings, debris screens, gaskets, or similar appurtenances are not considered to be in substantial contact.
(3) Any chemicals specified for use in the design of treatment for secondary MCLs in Table 3 under WAC 246-291-170, with the exception of commercial grade hypochlorite compounds such as unscented Clorox or Purex, shall comply with ANSI/NSF Standard 60. The design dosage shall not exceed the maximum application dosage recommended for the product as certified by the ANSI/NSF Standard 60.
(4) Pipes, pipe fittings, fittings, fixtures, solder, or flux used in the design of a new or expanding Group B system shall be lead-free. For the purposes of this section, lead-free means:
(a) No more than twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent lead in pipes and pipe fittings;
(b) No more than two-tenths of one percent lead in solder and flux; and
(c) Fittings and fixtures that are in compliance with standards established in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 300g-6(e).
(a) Prevent entry by birds, animals, insects, ((and)) excessive dust ((and shall include appropriate provisions to safeguard against trespass, vandalism, and sabotage. All new distribution reservoirs shall be able to be drained by gravity to daylight)), and other potential sources of external contamination;
(2) ((The owner shall ensure that the distribution system is sized and evaluated using a hydraulic analysis acceptable to the department.
(3))) A Group B system((s)) designed to ((provide)) supply fire hydrants ((shall)) must have a minimum distribution main size of six inches (150 mm) supplying each hydrant.
(((4) New water systems or additions to existing systems shall provide a design quantity of water at a positive pressure of at least thirty psi throughout the system under peak hourly design flow conditions measured at any customer's water meter or at the property line if no meter exists.
(5) If fire flow is to be provided, the distribution system shall be designed to provide the required fire flow at a pressure of at least twenty psi throughout the system during peak hourly design flow conditions.
(6) Booster pumps needed for individual services shall be subject to review and approval by the department. Installation shall be made under the supervision of the owner to ensure cross-connection control requirements are met. Installation of booster pumps which are an integral part of the system design shall be inspected and certified by the engineer.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-210, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-220, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(2) The system transferring ownership shall ensure all health-related standards are met during transfer and shall inform and train the new owner regarding operation of the system.
(3) No owner shall end utility operations without providing written notice to all customers and the department at least one year prior to termination of service.
(4) Nothing in these rules shall prohibit an owner from terminating service to a specific customer if the customer fails to pay normal fees for service in a timely manner or if the customer allows or installs an unauthorized service connection to the system.
(5) Where this section may be in conflict with existing state statutes, the more stringent statute shall prevail.)) (1) A purveyor of a Group B system shall notify all the system's consumers in writing before transferring ownership. The notification must include a time schedule for transferring responsibilities, identification of the new owner, and under what type of authority the new ownership will operate.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-250, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(2) A local permitting authority may determine a Group B system constructed before January 1, 2013, without design approval under this chapter, to be adequate for existing connections if, at a minimum, the following requirements are met:
(3) A purveyor of a Group B system approved prior to January 1, 2013, may provide potable water to additional service connections provided that:
(2) The department or health officer may require ((additional monitoring when it determines contamination is present or suspected in the water system or when it determines the source may be vulnerable to contamination.
(2) Special purpose samples shall not count toward fulfillment of the monitoring requirements of this chapter.
(3) The owner shall ensure samples required by this chapter are collected, transported, and submitted for analysis according to department-approved methods. The analyses shall be performed by the state public health laboratory or another laboratory certified by the department. Qualified water utility, certified laboratory, or department personnel may conduct measurements for pH, temperature, residual disinfectant concentration and turbidity as required by this chapter, provided, these measurements are made in accordance with Standard Methods.
(4) When one Group B water system sells water to another public water system and the cumulative number of services or population served meet the definition of a Group A system, the owner of the selling system shall ensure that source monitoring is conducted in accordance with the minimum requirements for Group A community systems found in chapter 246-290 WAC.)) a purveyor to collect water quality samples, have the samples analyzed by a certified lab, and report results as required under WAC 246-291-360, when the department or health officer:
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-300, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]
(2) Content. Notices shall provide:
(a) A clear, concise, and simple explanation of the violation;
(b) Discussion of potential adverse health effects and any segments of the population that may be at higher risk;
(c) A list of steps the owner has taken or is planning to take to remedy the situation;
(d) A list of steps the consumer should take, including advice on seeking an alternative water supply if necessary;
(e) The owner's and manager's names and phone numbers; and
(f) When appropriate, notices shall be multilingual.
The owner may provide additional information to further explain the situation.
(3) Distribution. Owners shall ensure that a written notice is distributed to all water system users within fourteen days of a violation unless otherwise directed by the department.
(4) When circumstances dictate the owner give a broader or more immediate notice to protect public health, the department may require notification by whatever means necessary.
(5) When a system is granted a waiver for reduction of water quality standards, the owner shall ensure that customers are notified. The owner shall provide a notice annually and send a copy to the department.)) (1) A purveyor of a Group B system shall notify the department, health officer, and all system consumers in writing within twenty-four hours when the purveyor:
(3) If a Group B system constructed prior to January 1, 2013, has an arsenic concentration exceeding 0.010 mg/L, the purveyor shall notify consumers in writing:
(a) By March 31, 2013, if the sample analysis result from a certified lab was obtained prior to January 1, 2013;
(f) Group B system contact information, including address, phone number, and if available, an e-mail address.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-002, § 246-291-360, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94.]