Chapter 246-290 WAC, Group A Public Water Supplies, establishes standards and requirements for Group A public water systems to help assure safe and reliable drinking water and to protect public health.
On October 13, 2021, the Board adopted amendments to chapter 246-290 WAC. In concurrent action, the Board adopted amendments to chapter 246-390 WAC, Drinking Water Laboratory Certification and Data Reporting. Among other features, the amended rules establish:
- drinking water standards for five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as State Action Levels (SALs);
- requirements for monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, and other follow-up actions;
- criteria and procedures for adopting SALs and state Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs); and
- laboratory analytical and reporting requirements that align the two rules.
The revised rules took effect January 1, 2022, and are administered by the Washington Department of Health (Department).
There currently are no national drinking water MCLs for PFAS. In March 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS. The Board and Department both submitted comments in support of the proposed PFAS drinking water standards. The agencies are monitoring events to determine possible future rulemaking.
CR-101 filed on December 15, 2017 as WSR 18-01-080
CR-102 filed on August 3, 2021 as WSR 21-16-095
CR-103 filed on November 17, 2021 as WSR 21-23-097
Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, RCW 70A.125, and RCW 70A.130
State Board of Health Contact: Stuart Glasoe, 360-236-4111
State Department of Health Contact: Jocelyn Jones, 360-236-3020
Related Links: Meeting Materials
2023
- June 14 Board Meeting
- May 19 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
2022
- December 19 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- September 19 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- August 10 Board Meeting
2021
- December 20 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- October 18 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- October 13 Board Meeting
- Rules Hearing Cover Memo
- Board Authority for Drinking Water Rulemaking
- Department of Health PFAS Group A Rules Presentation
- Group A CR-102 Package
- Group A Significant Analysis
- Group A Written Public Comments
- Group A Summary Response to Written Public Comments
- Factsheet, Summary of Group A Rule Revisions
- Factsheet, Department of Health Approach to Developing PFAS SALs
- Factsheet, SAL Monitoring and Follow-up Actions
- Factsheet, Process for SALs and State MCLs
- Lab PowerPoint Presentation
- Lab CR-102 Package
- Lab Significant Analysis
- Lab Written Public Comments
- Lab Summary Response to Public Comments
- Factsheet, Summary of Lab Rule Revisions
- Toxicology Assessment, PFAS SALs
- Board Meeting Minutes
- September 20 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- July 19 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- June 9 Board Meeting
- Drinking Water Standards Cover Memo
- Department of Health Presentation
- PFAS Overview
- PFAS Rule Summary
- Department of Health Approach Developing PFAS SALs
- Process/Criteria Adopting SALs and State MCLs
- PFAS Monitoring, Follow-up Actions, Public Notice
- PFAS Rulemaking Timeline
- Lab Rule Summary
- Statutory Authority
- Board Meeting Minutes
- May 17 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
2020
- October 21 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- September 14 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- August 12 Board Meeting
- July 16 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- March 23 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- February 14 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
2019
- November 18 Board Meeting
- November 7 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- July 31 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
- March 1 Environmental Health Committee Special Meeting
2018
- August 8 Board Meeting
- June 14 Board Meeting
2017
