On-site Sewage System
(Septic) Tanks
Rule Development
Rule adopted at public hearing held October 14, 2009
The Washington State Board of Health (Board) held a public hearing for the proposed
on-site sewage system tanks rule. The rule was adopted at the hearing with some revisions, and we are working with the Board to finalize the rule. We anticipate the new rule will be effective toward the end of 2009. If you have questions please
contact one of the staff listed below.
Background
Sewage Tanks Rule Advisory Panel (Tanks RAP)
- Members and Meeting Information
Rulemaking Documents
Contact Information
Draft Rule, Workshops, and FAQ
Background
In the early 1990's, an ad hoc committee, the Septic Tank
Standards Development Committee, was formed to help the state
Department of Health (DOH) develop a "recommended guidance
and standards" document for septic (sewage) tank design and
construction. The committee considered issues and
solutions in such areas as tank design and construction
standards, regulatory relationships, and administrative
recordkeeping procedures. The final draft,
"Standards for On-Site Wastewater System
Tanks" (Tank Standards) was completed in
August 1996, and DOH began using it to review and approve tanks for use in
Washington State.
The Technical Review Committee (TRC) is a technical committee
convened by DOH to provide technical input and develop
recommendations on sewage treatment technologies. In 2003
the Tank Standards were reviewed by the TRC. DOH planned to use input from the TRC and from stakeholder workshops
to develop a new
sewage tank rule.
Chapter 246-272A WAC (on-site sewage system rule) was adopted
by the State Board of Health in July 2005. The rule established
its full effective date to be July 1, 2007. The rule required
that sewage technologies (including sewage tanks) either be
addressed in rule or in a DOH Recommended Standard and Guidance
(RS&G). To prepare for the rule writing process, the
State Board of Health filed a
CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry, the formal rule
initiation document, with the Code Reviser in
February 2006. Because DOH and local
health jurisdictions were expending significant resources
preparing to implement the new on-site sewage system rule, DOH
decided to develop and use the
On-site Sewage Systems Recommended Standards and Guidance for an
interim period. This RS&G took effect on July 1, 2007.
DOH incorporated the resulting changes into its sewage tank
review and approval process.
In February 2008, DOH held scoping meetings in Tumwater and
Moses Lake to continue the sewage
tanks rule making process. The purpose of the scoping
meetings was to brief interested parties on the history of
rulemaking efforts, the RS&G update, and emerging issues.
DOH asked for input and put forth a request for volunteers to
participate in a Sewage Tanks Rule Advisory Panel. The
panel met regularly over the past few months to discuss
issues, suggest recommendations on sewage tank design and
standards, and assist DOH in drafting the new rule. When
completed, the rule will provide manufacturers, design
engineers, and reviewing agencies with consistent standards for
sewage tank design, construction, and installation.
This web page presents information
about committee meetings,
panel members, and associated documents related to the
development of the sewage
tanks rule. New documents and
information will be posted here as they become available.
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Sewage Tanks Rule Advisory Panel (Tanks RAP)
-
April 15, 2008, Tumwater
- May 13, 2008,
Dept. of
Health Kent Offices
- June 12, 2008,
Dept. of
Health Kent Offices
- July 8, 2008,
Dept. of
Health Kent Offices
- August 2008 through April 2009 -
no meetings scheduled
- May 6, 2009,
Dept. of Health Tumwater Office
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Draft Rule Information
Rulemaking Documents
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Contacts / Questions
Questions concerning the Tanks rule revision can be directed to:
Melissa McEachron, Rule Revision Lead, at (360) 236-3265;
melissa.mceachron@doh.wa.gov
Denise Lahmann, P.E., Wastewater Management
Supervisor at (360) 236-3348;
denise.lahmann@doh.wa.gov
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