Title 70A — Title 70A ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following definitions apply throughout this chapter:(1) "Area-wide waivers" means a waiver granted by the department as a result of a geographically based testing program meeting required provisions of the federal safe drinking w…

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any legal requirement under this chapter, including any standard, limitation, rule, or order is superseded and replaced in accordance with the terms and provisions of an environmental excellence program agreement, entered into under cha…

(1) The secretary or his or her designee or the local health officer may declare a public health emergency. As limited by RCW 70A.125.040, the department may impose penalties for violations of laws or regulations that are determined to be a public health emergency.(2) As limited …

(1)(a) In addition to or as an alternative to any other penalty or action allowed by law, a person who violates a law or rule regulating public water systems and administered by the department of health is subject to a penalty of not more than five thousand dollars per day for ev…

Each local board of health that is enforcing the regulations regarding public water systems is authorized to impose and collect civil penalties for violations within the area of its responsibility under the same limitations and requirements imposed upon the department by RCW 70A.…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1906-S2.SL) ***(1) To assure safe and reliable public drinking water and to protect the public health:(a) Public water systems shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local rules; and(b) Group A public water systems shall:(i) Protect the w…

The department may enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this chapter.[ 1989 c 422 s 4. Formerly RCW 70.119A.070.]

(1) The department shall administer a drinking water program which includes, but is not limited to, those program elements necessary to assume primary enforcement responsibility for part B, and section 1428 of part C of the federal safe drinking water act. No rule promulgated or …

The legislature finds that:(1) The responsibility for ensuring that the citizens of this state have a safe and reliable drinking water supply is shared between local government and state government, and is the obligation of every public water system;(2) A rapid increase in the nu…

(1) No person may operate a group A public water system unless the person first submits an application to the department and receives an operating permit as provided in this section. A new application must be submitted upon any change in ownership of the system.(2) The department…

The department shall develop and implement a voluntary consolidated source monitoring program sufficient to accurately characterize the source water quality of the state's drinking water supplies and to maximize the flexibility allowed in the federal safe drinking water act to al…

The safe drinking water account is created in the general fund of the state treasury. All receipts from the operating permit fees required to be paid under RCW 70A.125.100 shall be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditur…

(1) Local governments may establish separate operating permit requirements for public water systems provided the operating permit requirements have been approved by the department. The department shall not approve local operating permit requirements unless the local system will r…

In such cases where a bottled water plant operator or water dealer knows or has reason to believe that a contaminant is present in the source water because of spill, release of a hazardous substance, or otherwise, and the contaminant's presence would create a potential health haz…

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in (b) of this subsection, the secretary or his or her designee shall have the right to enter a premises under the control of a public water system at reasonable times with prior notification in order to determine compliance with laws and rules…

(1) A drinking water assistance account and an administrative subaccount are created in the state treasury. The purpose of the account is to allow the state to use any federal funds that become available to states from congress to fund a state revolving fund loan program as part …

(1) It is the intent of the legislature that the department establish water use efficiency requirements designed to ensure efficient use of water while maintaining water system financial viability, improving affordability of supplies, and enhancing system reliability.(2) The requ…

Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall provide financial assistance through a water system acquisition and rehabilitation program, hereby created. The department shall adopt guidelines for the program using as a model t…

A group A water system serving fewer than one hundred connections that purchases water from a water system approved by the department shall measure chlorine residuals at the same time and location of collection for a routine and repeat coliform sample.[ 2009 c 367 s 8. Formerly R…

(1) A person or purveyor that owns, operates, or maintains a public water system shall not be liable for damages resulting from shutting off water to a residential home with an installed fire sprinkler system if the shut off is due to: (a) Routine maintenance or construction; (b)…

A public water system that considers commencing or discontinuing fluoridation of its water supply on a continuing basis shall notify its customers and the department of its intentions at least 90 days prior to a vote or decision on the matter. The water system shall notify its cu…

This act shall be known and cited as the "Washington state safe drinking water act."[ 1989 c 422 s 1. Formerly RCW 70.119A.900.]