Potential new direction for Group B rule
From: Rule revision for the Department of Health, Office of Drinking
Water for Group B [mailto:WA-GROUPB-PWS@LISTSERV.WA.GOV] On Behalf Of
Walker, Loralei M (DOH)
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:36 AM
To: WA-GROUPB-PWS@LISTSERV.WA.GOV
Subject: Potential new direction for Group B rule
Last year, we talked to stakeholders about potential changes to the
Group B rule. When the state's budget crisis hit, we put rule
changes on hold. Since then, the Legislature eliminated state
funds we provide to local health jurisdictions for Group B oversight
activities.
The Legislature also changed the law to allow the State Board of Health (Board) to adopt rules for Group B systems that do not require ongoing water quality monitoring. In addition, the Board can now exempt systems with fewer than five residential connections from all requirements.
The Office of Drinking Water will continue our Group B rulemaking efforts, and we anticipate the Board will adopt a revised rule late in 2010. The public is invited to attend the next regular Board meeting on Wednesday, July 8. One of the agenda items will be a discussion of the effects from budget cuts to the Group B program and the new direction from the Legislature.
The meeting will be in Port Hadlock at the Inn at Port Hadlock, 310
Hadlock Bay Road. If you need directions you can call the Inn at (360)
385-7030 or (800) 785-7030. The agenda will be posted on the Web by
close of business July 1 at
http://www.doh.wa.gov/SBOH/Meetings/schedule.htm
A key difference between Group A and Group B water systems is the
central role many local health agencies play in overseeing Group B water
systems. Even though the Group B rule applies everywhere in Washington,
each county operates a bit differently from the others.
The funding cuts and the changes to the rule will affect local health agencies. We will continue to be mindful of the impacts to our local partners as we work with the Board on any rule proposal.
If you have questions or comments, please contact Dave Christensen at (360) 236-3153 or david.christensen@doh.wa.gov.
David Christensen
Policy & Finance Section
Dept. of Health, Office of Drinking Water
P O Box 47822
Olympia, WA 98504-7822
Voice: (360) 236-3153
Fax: (360) 236-2252
Email:
david.christensen@doh.wa.gov
Public Health - Always working for a safer and healthier Washington