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Office of Drinking Water Rules

View and download our rule publications

Final Rules - New Rules

Federal Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule

The federal Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2) was adopted on October 13, 2009 and will be effective on January 4, 2010. The rule requires water systems to reduce peak and average levels of disinfection byproducts in drinking water supplies. The public health objective of this rule is to prevent potential cancer, reproductive and developmental health effects.

EPA will continue enforcing the Stage 2 requirements until our rule becomes effective on January 4, 2010. We will send letters to the affected water systems at the end of this year to explain the transition and the next deadlines. We will also have an article in the December “Water Tap” and update our Web page.

For more information:

• Final rule language for Group A Public Water Supplies, chapter 246-290 WAC (PDF 273 kb)

• Fact Sheet: Transition from Stage 1 to Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts Rule Monitoring (PDF 34 kb)

• Fact Sheet: Disinfection Byproducts

• EPA's Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproduct Rule Web Page

If you have technical questions or concerns about the Stage 2 Rule, e-mail or call Ethan Moseng, Surface Water Program Coordinator, (253) 395-6770.

Current Rulemaking Activities

Waterworks Operator Certification Rule

What is the purpose of this rule revision?

The rule revision is necessary to incorporate statutory changes made in chapter 70.119 RCW, Chapter 221 Laws of 2009. The changes include:

• Strengthening the department’s authority to take immediate enforcement actions in cases of gross negligence.

• Clarifying the department’s authority to certify backflow assembly testers and cross-connection control specialists.

• Amending the definition of a “Group A public water system” to be consistent with other related statutes.

• Adding a reference to the specialty plumbers licensing requirements that cover some activities performed by backflow assembly testers licensed under chapter 18.106 RCW.

Other rule revision topics include:

• Addressing large public water system recruitment issues to allow broader substitution options for minimal education requirements.

• Adding a new definition and requirements for “responding in a timely manner” to identify a reasonable response time for contract operators during an emergency.

• Revising temporary certification requirements for surface water treatment plant operators.

• Evaluating existing program guidelines for possible adoption into the rule.

How do I stay informed?

Check out this page for updates, watch for our rulemaking Listserv e-mail notices, and read our quarterly newsletter, “Water Tap.”

To receive our rulemaking notices by e-mail, you can join the Rules Listserv on our Drinking Water Homepage. Just click on “Drinking Water Rules” Listserv at the bottom of the page to sign up.

For more information:

• Rule Revision to Begin (PDF 49 kb)
• Washington State Register (Type 09-21-043) in the "Go to a WSR page" search box)

If you have technical questions or concerns about the Waterworks Operator Certification Rule revisions, e-mail or call:

Richard Sarver, Rule Development Lead, 360-236-3122
Cheryl Bergener, Rule Development Co-lead, 360-236-3137

If you have questions about the rule process, e-mail or call Theresa Phillips, Lead Rules Coordinator, (360) 236-3147

Federal Lead and Copper Rule Short-term Revisions

What is the purpose of this rule revision?

The federal Lead and Copper Rule Short-term Revisions provides a more effective approach of reducing exposure to lead in drinking water. This rule revision applies to all Group A community and non-transient non-community water systems. Rule revision topics include:

•  Clarifying monitoring requirements.
•  Improving consumer awareness.
•  Modifying lead service line replacement.

For more information:

• Rule Revision to Begin (PDF 49kb)
• Washington State Register available August 5 (Type 09-15-040) in the "Go to a WSR page" search box)

If you have technical questions or concerns about the Lead and Copper Rule revisions, e-mail or call Derrick Dennis, Rule Development Lead, (360) 236-3122

If you have questions about the rule process, e-mail or call Theresa Phillips, Lead Rules Coordinator, (360) 236-3147

Group B Public Water Systems, chapter 246-291 WAC

The state adopted the Group B public water system rule in 1994. Over the last 15 years, we learned a lot from our experience in regulating these very small water systems. Based on this knowledge, we believe changes are needed to better focus on core public health protection. Visit our Group B Web Page for more information.

Drinking Water Laboratory Certification, chapter 246-390 WAC

Proposed Name Change: Drinking Water Laboratory Data Reporting Rule

In June 2009, we met with stakeholders to discuss draft rule language and to solicit feedback. We are currently evaluating the feedback and making changes to the draft rule language.

If you have any questions about the Drinking Water Laboratory Data Reporting Rule, please contact Dick Pedlar, Laboratory Issues Coordinator, at (360) 236-3115.

• Rule Revision to Begin (PDF 72KB)

• Preparing for the Groundwater Rule (331-390 PDF KB)

• Federal Rule Language (EPA Web site)

Public Hearings

None at this time

For More Information

For more information about Office of Drinking Water's rulemaking activities, please contact:

Theresa Phillips, Lead Rules Coordinator, (360) 236-3147

Highlights

Note: We will update the Group A Public Water Supplies, chapter 246-290 WAC (DOH 331-010) in November.

Due to the high cost of printing and mailing this large publication, it will be available only on the web on our Publications Page. Make sure you are using this version.

New: Due to budget restrictions we will no longer be mailing rule notices. Beginning July 1, 2009 you can receive rule notices by email. Sign up now for the Rulemaking ListServ.

Current Rulemaking Activities

Public Hearings

Final Rules

Rule Publications

Our Rules on the Code Revisers Web Site

Our Statutory Authority on the Code Reviser's Web Site

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Last Update : 11/06/2009 12:46 PM