Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-292 WAC, Waterworks operator certification, is being amended to incorporate recent statutory changes. The department will also consider a chapter update that may include addressing operational issues and incorporating long-standing guidelines into the rule.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.119.050.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making is necessary to incorporate statutory changes made in chapter 70.119 RCW, chapter 221, Laws of 2009. The changes strengthen the department's authority to take enforcement actions for serious violations, and clarify the department's authority to certify backflow assembly testers and cross-connection control specialists. The department will also consider a chapter update that may include addressing operational issues and incorporating long-standing guidelines into the rule.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The department will work collaboratively with the waterworks operator certification advisory committee, other related associations, and training partners to develop a draft rule.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The draft rule will be available for comment upon request and made available through the office of drinking water's web page at http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/default.htm, the rules listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=WA-DRINKINGWATERRULES&A=1, and the quarterly newsletter "Water Tap." For more information contact Theresa Phillips, Office of Drinking Water, P.O. Box 47822, Olympia, WA 98504-7822, call (360) 236-3147, e-mail theresa.phillips@doh.wa.gov.

October 13, 2009

B. White

for Mary C. Selecky

Secretary

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