State Board of Health declines petition to amend Group A public water system rules
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Summary
The Board declined a petition requesting revision of WAC 246-290 (Group A public water systems) seeking higher evaluation standards and transparency for added substances in drinking water, directing staff to notify the petitioner; members noted federal EPA reviews and indicated the Legislature may be the proper venue for broader authority changes.
The Washington State Board of Health on March 12 declined a petition that sought to amend WAC 246-290, the rule governing Group A public water systems, to require higher safety standards and greater transparency when the Board relies on outside authorities to evaluate added substances in drinking water.
Board staff recommended denying the petition because the Board has historically relied on national reviews carried out under the Safe Drinking Water Act by the Environmental Protection Agency. Board members questioned whether evaluations for substances such as fluoride fall under state or federal responsibility, but several agreed that the petitioner’s concerns may be better addressed through the Legislature rather than through Board rulemaking.
Peter Browning moved and Vice Chair Kelly Oshiro seconded the motion to decline the petition; the motion was approved unanimously. The Board directed staff to notify the petitioner of the decision.
Chair Patty Hayes said the topic raises important policy questions about the Board’s role in disease prevention and protecting vulnerable populations but emphasized that statutory and federal frameworks guide the Board’s current practice.
The Board did not initiate rulemaking on this petition. Staff will communicate the Board’s decision and the rationale to the petitioners.