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Group B
Rulemaking on Hold
January 21, 2009
Because of current budgetary uncertainties, we have decided to put
the Group B rulemaking process on hold until the Legislature
approves a final budget.
We will update this web page as we have more information about what
will happen with the Group B rule.
Follow this link to
track the legislature's activities this session.
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
public water systems generally serve 2 to 14 households or very
small businesses. Through joint
operating agreements, the Department of Health and local health agencies work
together to review and approve Group B water systems, oversee
ongoing water quality monitoring and reporting, and respond to
emergencies.
Group B water systems are regulated
under Chapter 246-291 of the Washington Administrative Code.
We have developed guidance documents to assist you in complying with
the rule and for designing a water system.
Discussion Paper
We've developed a discussion paper to
provide background and describe program changes we are considering.
Potential Program Changes, Group B Public Water Systems
(PDF 42kb).
Program Development
Update
Earlier this year, we asked local health
agencies to help us create a framework for making changes to the
Group B program. In September, we took these proposed changes to
five public forums and asked for feedback from Group B water system
owners, operators, consumer, and other interested parties.
Our goals for the forums were to:
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Help people understand issues and
problems with the current rule for Group B public water
systems.
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Listen to public concerns about
getting safe and reliable drinking water from Group B systems.
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Ask Group B water system owners,
operators, and consumers to provide comments that we will
consider while we draft rule language.
Public Forum Comments
We presented ideas for changes to the
Group B rule at five public forums in Spokane, Ellensburg, Mount
Vernon, Olympia and Bremerton in September 2008.
Group B Public Water Systems presentation
(PDF 3332kb).
We compiled
comments from all of the public forums (PDF 72kb). We encourage
your continued feedback. Please feel free to contact us using the
information provided below.
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