Updated 04/2013
Information Resources for Washington Water-Sewer Districts
Contents
Introduction
This page provides links to MRSC information useful to Washington water-sewer districts. The pages contain sample documents, reference sources, and links to local, state, and federal websites. For comments, additions, or questions, contact the page editor.
Statutes
Water-Sewer District Document Resources
Online Codes
Online Resolutions
Interlocal Agreements
RCW 39.34.040 was amended by Ch. 32 Laws of 2006 (HB 2676) (
) to provide an alternative to filing an interlocal agreement with the county auditor, a public agency may list the agreement on its website or other electronically retrievable public source. Here is a list of water-sewer districts known to MRSC that are posting interlocal agreements.
Polices and Procedures
Rate Schedules
Highlighted MRSC Webpages
This is a list of selected pages that may be of interest to water-sewer districts, but it is not inclusive. Use the MRSC Site Search or MRSC Site Index (alphabetical topic list) to find additional topics. Ask MRSC if you need assistance.
- Biosolids - Provides links to Department of Ecology and to some of the local government wastewater biosolid programs
- Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act: 811 - "Call Before You Dig" - Provides links to statutes and local government programs
- Emergency Management for Water and Wastewater Systems - Provides emergency management references for water and wastewater systems. Topics covered includes security, emergency planning, and emergency measures for drought conditions.
- Latecomers Agreements - Discusses what they are and are not, includes Q&A on agreements, and provides sample code provisions
- Local Improvement Districts - Web version of Washington State Local Improvement District Manual, Sixth Edition with sample documents
- Open Public Meetings Act - Provides legal references, court cases, and publications including MRSC related publications
- Public Records Act - Provides statutes, model rules, reference sources, sample documents. Related pages include: Electronic Public Records Retention, Internet, E-mail and Computer Usage Policies, Public Records Disclosure Caselaw Update, and Social Media
- Purchasing and Bidding for Washington State Local Governments - Provides information on purchasing (goods, equipment, materials, supplies, and services) and contracting (public works) for local government agencies in Washington State.
- Reference pages - Provide links to bibliographic resources
- Regional Water Providers and Associations - On MRSC Water Utilities page
- Sewer Utilities - Sample sewer rates, planning, sample regulatory provisions, links to information resources
- Storm and Surface Water Management - Provides links to regulations, best management practices, and local regulations
- Utility Billing and Collection Issues - Billing procedures, deposits, combined utility accounts, budget payments, overpayment and underpayment of utility bills, billing adjustments due to leaks and meter failures, collection practices for delinquent utility accounts, utility liens, penalties and interest, service termination and reconnection, landlord/tenant issues, comprehensive provisions for billing and collection, identity theft "red flags" rule, senior and low-income utility rate discounts
- Washington Water and Sewer Districts Listed by County - A list of all water and sewer districts, brief description where available, and some document links
- Wastewater Providers in Addition to Cities and Towns - Includes counties, PUDs and reclamation districts
- Water and Sewer Code Provisions - Sample provisions from various jurisdictions
- Water Conservation - Provides links to state water conservation information, and examples of local government policies, regulations, and examples of various water conservation measures
- Water Resources and Water Quality - Provides links to programs on water resources, water quality, clean water and information resources
- Water Rights - Provides local government decision-makers with information about water rights in Washington state
- Water Utilities - Provides overview of statutes relating to provision of domestic water, utility administration, finance, water rates, and water system planning
Highlighted MRSC Publications
This is a list of selected publications that may be of interest to water-sewer districts, but it is not inclusive. See MRSC Publications that offer a variety of ways for local government officials and staff to stay informed on issues that matter most to them, including publications, e-newsletters, social media, RSS feeds and more.
The Appearance of Fairness Doctrine in Washington State (), Report No. 32 Revised, April 2011. Provides an overview of the appearance of fairness statute, Ch. 42.36 RCW, including suggestions for assuring compliance with the law. Contains a section on commonly asked questions and a summary of cases.
Getting into Office: Being Elected or Appointed into Office in Washington Counties, Cities, Towns, and Special Districts (
), Report No. 62 Revised, January 2013
Knowing the Territory - Basic Legal Guidelines for Washington City, County and Special District Officials (), Report No. 47 Revised, November 2011. Describes the nature, powers and duties of municipal officials for "keeping out of trouble," discusses limitations, regulations, and admonitions regarding the exercise of governmental powers, including conflicts of interest law, the Open Public Meetings Act, Appearance of Fairness Doctrine and similar laws. It also points out immunities and protections.
Local Ordinances for Washington Cities and Counties (), Report No. 50, May 2000. This report has been prepared to assist Washington county, city, and town officials in the drafting and adoption of ordinances, resolutions, motions, and related devices. The report replaces Report No. 15, Local Ordinances: The Drafting, Compilations, Codification, and Revision of Ordinances. - Note Water-Sewer Districts adopt rules governing the transaction of its business by resolution, but contents of this publication may be useful.
The Open Public Meetings Act - How it Applies to Washington Cities, Counties, and Special Purpose Districts (), Report No. 60 Revised, May 2012. Covers who is subject to Act, procedural requirements, executive sessions, exemptions, and penalties, and identifies relevant case law and attorney general opinions.
Public Records Act for Washington Cities, Counties, and Special Purpose Districts (), Report No. 61 (revised frequently). Because the legislature routinely updates the Public Records Act statutes, and because the courts issue many decisions each year interpreting the statutes, MRSC has chosen to update this publication as needed. The electronic version available here is our latest version. If you like to use a printed copy, we recommend that you print a new copy periodically, so that you have the benefit of the most recent updates.
Washington State Small Public Works Roster Manual for Local Governments (), Report No. 51 Revised, May 2009. Chapter 138, Laws of 2000, significantly changed small public works roster provisions for awarding public works contracts. The legislature also directed the Washington State Department of Commerce (formerly CTED) and the Municipal Research Council to prepare and distribute a Small Works Roster manual. MRSC fulfilled this original obligation in 2000 with the original Small Works Roster Manual for Local Governments in paper form. Subsequent to that effort, the Manual was published and updated online on MRSC's website in PDF format.