Office of Drinking Water Rules
NEW: Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund Loan Program - Emergency Rule
We have adopted an emergency rule to address new federal
requirements to allow subsidies to eligible recipients and funding for
green projects. Click here for more information.
View and download our rule publications
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:
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.
Groundwater Rule
We have developed draft rule language for the federal
Groundwater Rule as required by EPA. The rule increases public health
protection by reducing the risk of viruses and bacteria in drinking
water wells.
This rule applies to all Group A systems that serve
groundwater. The rule also applies to any water system that mixes
surface and groundwater, unless all of the groundwater is processed
through a surface water treatment facility.
The changes include:
- Increased frequency of sanitary surveys.
- New corrective action requirements.
- New water quality samples at the source.
- Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
- New public notification requirements.
- Other minor rule clarifications that are required by
EPA.
For more information read:
If you have questions about the rule process, email or call
Theresa Phillips, Lead
Rules Coordinator, (360) 236-3147.
The formal comment period is currently planned for summer 2010.
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.
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Tentative Schedule/Timeline for Waterworks
Operator Certification Rule Revision |
| October 2009 |
March 2010 |
Develop draft rule language |
| March 2010 |
July 2010 |
Stakeholder outreach: informal review of draft rule language |
| August 2010 |
December 2010 |
Evaluate comments and revise rule language: develop formal
proposed rule |
| January 2011 |
February 2011 |
Formal comment period: proposed rule language sent to all
stakeholders, hold public hearing |
| March 2011 |
May 2011 |
Rule adoption |
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:
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:
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.
None at this time
For more information about Office of Drinking Water's
rulemaking activities, please contact:
Theresa
Phillips, Lead Rules Coordinator, (360) 236-3147
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