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WashingtonHB 16152025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Increasing consistency in the classifications of water systems.

Sponsored By: Michelle Valdez (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Washington water systems get new classification rules

Effective April 16, 2025, Washington sets specific rules for classifying public water systems. Group A includes systems with at least 15 service connections. It also includes systems averaging at least 25 people daily for at least 60 days in a calendar year. Systems serving at least 1,000 people for two or more consecutive days also qualify. Other public water systems are Group B. Officials cannot move an otherwise Group B system into Group A using a default number of people per connection. Local governments can add Group B requirements at least as strict as state rules, but must follow that classification protection. Separate local operating permits need state health department approval and must improve service; duplicate state and local permit requirements are prohibited. Single-family residences and farms with four or fewer connections serving residences on that farm remain outside the public-water-system definition.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michelle Valdez

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 4/16/2025.

    4/16/2025House

  2. Chapter 65, 2025 Laws.

    4/16/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/11/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/10/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/9/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/4/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/4/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/26/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/25/2025House

  11. ANR - Majority; do pass.

    3/24/2025House

  12. First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.

    3/12/2025House

  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/10/2025House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/10/2025House

  15. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/6/2025House

  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/13/2025House

  17. ENVI - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/11/2025House

  18. ENVI - Majority; do pass.

    2/11/2025House

  19. First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.

    1/27/2025House

  20. Introduced

    1/27/2025House

Bill Text

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