WAC 246-290-030   General administration.  (1) The department and the health officer for each local health jurisdiction may develop a joint plan of operation. This plan shall:

     (a) List the roles and responsibilities of each agency;

     (b) Specifically designate those Group A systems for which the department and local health officer have primary responsibility;

     (c) Provide for an agreed-to level of public water system oversight;

     (d) Be signed by the department and the local health department or district; and

     (e) Be reviewed at least once every five years and updated as needed.

     Wherever in this chapter the term "department" is used, the term "health officer" may be substituted based on the terms of this plan of operation.

     (2) The department shall, upon request, review and report on the adequacy of water supply supervision to both the state and local boards of health.

     (3) The local board of health may adopt rules governing Group A water systems within its jurisdiction for which the health officer has assumed primary responsibility. Adopted local board of health rules shall be:

     (a) No less stringent than this chapter; and

     (b) Revised, if necessary, within twelve months after the effective date of revised state board of health rules. During this time period, existing local rules shall remain in effect, except provisions of the revised state board of health rules that are more stringent than the local board of health rules shall apply.

     (4) For those Group A water systems where the health officer has assumed primary responsibility, the health officer may approve project reports and construction documents in accordance with engineering criteria approved by the department and listed under Part 3 of this chapter and water system plans in accordance with planning criteria listed under WAC 246-290-100.

     (5) An advisory committee shall be established to provide advice to the department on the organization, functions, service delivery methods, and funding of the drinking water program. Members shall be appointed by the department for fixed terms of no less than two years, and may be reappointed. The committee shall reflect a broad range of interests in the regulation of public water supplies, including water utilities of all sizes, local governments, business groups, special purpose districts, local health jurisdictions, other state and federal agencies, financial institutions, environmental organizations, the legislature, professional engineers engaged in water system design, and other groups substantially affected by the department's role in implementing state and federal requirements for public water systems.

     (6) The department may develop guidance to clarify sections of the rules as needed and make these available for distribution. Copies of the guidance may be obtained by contacting the division of drinking water.

     (7) Fees may be charged and collected by the department as authorized in chapter 43.20B RCW and by local health agencies as authorized in RCW 70.05.060 to recover all or a portion of the costs incurred in administering this chapter or that are required to be paid under WAC 246-290-990.

     (8) All state and local agencies involved in review, approval, surveillance, testing, and/or operation of public water systems, or issuance of permits for buildings or sewage systems shall be governed by these rules and any decisions of the department.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.02.050 [43.20.050]. 99-07-021, § 246-290-030, filed 3/9/99, effective 4/9/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 94-14-001, § 246-290-030, filed 6/22/94, effective 7/23/94; 93-08-011 (Order 352B), § 246-290-030, filed 3/25/93, effective 4/25/93; 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as § 246-290-030, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: P.L. 99-339. 89-21-020 (Order 336), § 248-54-025, filed 10/10/89, effective 11/10/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.04.045. 88-05-057 (Order 307), § 248-54-025, filed 2/17/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 83-19-002 (Order 266), § 248-54-025, filed 9/8/83.]