What’s Happening?
The Department of Health (department) is considering amending fees for all programs within the Office of Drinking Water to cover the costs of the programs and account for the General Fund State (GFS) and foundational public health services (FPHS) funding reductions and the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) made in the 2025-2027 state budget (ESSB 5167).
RCW 43.70.250 authorizes the Secretary of Health to establish various fees associated with licensing and regulation of professions, occupations, or businesses. These fees must be set at a level that covers the costs of administering each program or license. RCW 43.20B.020 authorizes the department to charge fees for services.
In the 2025-2027 state budget, the department is experiencing COLA increases, Class and Compensation increases, GFS and FPHS reductions, and fund balance deficits.
The department has completed a financial assessment of the Office of Drinking Water programs and determined the current fees are not generating sufficient revenue to cover the cost of the programs over the biennium.
Due to these reasons, the programs and fee sections considering fee adjustment are:
- WAC 246-290-990 for Water system evaluation and project review and approval fees
- WAC 246-292-995 for Certified operator and public water system certification fees
- WAC 246-294-070 for Operating permit fees
The department may also consider making editorial updates to align with Code Reviser’s Bill Drafting Guide.
Why?
On September 5, 2025, the Department of Health filed proposed changes amending fees for all programs within the Office of Drinking Water. The proposed changes are intended to amend fees for all programs ensure program costs are adequately covered. These fees must be set at a level that covers the costs of administering each program or license.
Get Involved
Provide Comments Through October 21, 2025
The Department of Health invites you to comment on the proposal through October 21, 2025 at midnight. A public hearing will be held on October 21, 2025 beginning at 1:00 p.m. to give you an opportunity to provide oral comments.
If you wish to attend the public hearing virtually, register for the webinar in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Written comments can be emailed to Zehra Siddiqui or submitted online at the department’s rules comment page.
Please note that all comments received, whether virtually, email, or online, will be given the same consideration. We encourage you to comment in a manner that is most convenient for you.
Proposed Rule Documents
CR-102: Proposed Rule Making with Proposed Rule Language (PDF)
Office of Drinking Fees Economic Impact Analysis Report (Word)
Tentative Rulemaking Timeline
- July 2025 – Start rulemaking
- July 2025 – Informal comment period
- September and October 2025 – Formal comment period and public hearing
- November 2025 – Rulemaking complete
Rulemaking Files
| Document | What's This? | Date Filed |
|---|---|---|
| CR-101 – Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (PDF) | Announces intent of rulemaking. | July 7, 2025 |
| Office of Drinking Fees Economic Impact Analysis Report (Word) | Explanation of fee adjustments. | |
| WAC 246-290-990 for Water system evaluation and project review and approval fees (Word) | Draft changes for informal public comment. Comments due by July 25, 2025. | |
| WAC 246-292-995 for Certified operator and public water system certification fees (Word) | Draft changes for informal public comment. Comments due by July 25, 2025. | |
| WAC 246-294-070 for Operating permit fees (Word) | Draft changes for informal public comment. Comments due by July 25, 2025. | |
| EPH Fees Rulemaking Informational Session (PDF) Recording of EPH Fees Rulemaking Informational Session |
Fee Rulemaking Information Session - July 15, 2025 | |
| CR-102 – Proposed Rulemaking (PDF) | Announces proposed permanent rulemaking. | September 5, 2025 |
Contacts
Zehra Siddiqui, Rules Coordinator
Jeanna Sieving, Fee Manager