What's Happening?
We are revising the water recreation rules (Chapter 246-260 WAC and Chapter 246-262 WAC). These rules outline requirements necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of users of water recreation facilities and recreational water contact facilities. We are considering amending these rules to adopt the CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) standards.
Why?
RCW 70.90.120 gives the authority to adopt rules for water recreation and directs staff to review and consider the CDC’s most recent version of the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). The MAHC was updated in 2018 and 2023 however the rules have not been revised to reflect current practices.
The purpose of this rulemaking is to revise the water recreation rules to reflect current practices outlined in the MAHC, where appropriate.
Timeline
Task | Date |
---|---|
TAC Meeting
|
June 2025 |
TAC Meeting
|
July 2025 |
TAC Input on Specific Aquatic Venues | June 12 - July 1, 2025 |
Float Tank Focus Group | July 2025 |
Reformat Draft Rules to align with Code Reviser Guidelines | May - July 2025 |
Informal Comment Period* | August 1 - September 30, 2025 |
Update SBOH | August 20, 2025 |
Complete Significant Analysis/Small Business Economic Impact Statement* | October 1 - December 31, 2025 |
File CR-102 (draft rules)* | January - February 2026 |
Hold Public Hearing* | June 2026 |
File CR-103P (final rules) | July 2026 |
Implementation (develop guidance, trainings, education, etc.) | July 2026 - July 2027 |
Rules Effective | 2027 |
*Opportunities to provide input.
Get Involved!
Technical Advisory Committee
A technical advisory committee (TAC), consisting of subject matter experts outlined in WAC 246-260-191, has been convened to address discrepancies and begin drafting rule language. The TAC meets on the first Tuesday of every month. As the TAC finalizes sections of draft rules, they’ll be posted here for review.
Recorded Meetings
July 13, 2023 TAC Kickoff Meeting
Review Draft Rules
Design and Construction Standards, Part 2 (Word)
Operations and Maintenance, Part 3 (Word)
Policies and Management, Part 4 (Word)
Email comments to waterrecreation@doh.wa.gov.
Monthly Newsletter
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Rulemaking Files
Document | What's This? | Date Filed |
---|---|---|
CR-101 (PDF) Preproposal Statement of Inquiry | Announces intent of rulemaking | December 13, 2016 |
Contacts
Ashlie Laydon, Rules Coordinator
Ashley Noble, SBOH Policy Advisor
Alyssa Payne, Public Health Advisor
David DeLong, Water Recreation Program Lead