Planning and Engineering

The Department of Health has formally adopted the planning and engineering portions of chapter 246-290 WAC (PDF 39KB) to be consistent with the 2003 Municipal Water Supply - Efficiency Requirements Act of 2003, better known as the Municipal Water Law. These Changes include:

• Water systems must provide water within their identified retail service area.

• A water system may legally provide water within its Department of Health-approved service area without asking the Department of Ecology to formally change the place of use on its water right.

• Water systems are required to obtain their governing body's approval of a water system plan prior to Department of Health's approval.

Final rule language for Group A Public Water Supplies, chapter 246-290 WAC

Guidance: (PDF under 26KB)

• Local Government Consistency Review Checklist

• Service Area Requirements for Privately-Owned (non-municipal) Systems

• Service Area Requirements for Publicly-Owned (municipal) Systems

Fact Sheets: (PDF under 128KB)

• Municipal Water Law - Duty to Provide Service Requirement

• Municipal Water Law - Documentation for Expanding a Water Right's Place of Use

• Municipal Water Law - Approval Requirement for Water System Plans

In the coming months, we will update and create additional guidance materials to help stakeholders implement this rule.

Note: The Municipal Water Law: Interim Planning Guidance document (331-256) is no longer effective. It was developed to explain the interim requirements water systems must meet to gain approval for their water system plans and small water system management programs.

For More Information

Michael Dexel, (360) 236-3154

Linda Kildahl, (360) 236-3186