A policy statement describes an agency’s current approach to implementing laws, court decisions, or orders, including its practices or procedures, while an interpretive statement explains the agency’s opinion on the meaning of those laws or decisions. These statements are advisory only (not enforceable), used for focused guidance, and filed with the Office of the Code Reviser.
Policy and interpretive statements remain in effect or active until updated or rescinded. Statements are reviewed regularly. Agencies are encouraged to convert long-standing policy and interpretive statements into rule.
Below are the active policy and interpretive statements in the division of Environmental Public Health, organized by office. All statements are in PDF format.
- Office of Drinking Water
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Title Brief Description Effective Date Same Farm Exemption Criteria for a Water System to be Eligible for the Same Farm Exemption May 1, 2025 - Office of Environmental Health and Safety
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Title Brief Description Effective Date Methamphetamine Use in Transient Accommodations Advises local health officers how the Department of Health interprets chapter 64.44 RCW to apply when personal use of methamphetamine is suspected in transient accommodations. June 1, 2024 Privately Owned On-site Sewage Systems (OSS) Serving More than 1 Development Clarifies how the Department of Health interprets requirements of WAC 246-272A-0200(6), Privately owned OSS serving more than one development. February 23, 2026 Control and Disposition Over Unsafe or Unapproved Food in Retail Food Establishments Clarifies the disposition of unsafe or unapproved food under chapter 246-215 WAC. April 1, 2026 Applying minimum horizontal separations from on-site sewage system components to surface water used as a public drinking water source Advises local health officers how the Department of Health interprets RCW 70.05.070 in relation to requirements in WAC 246-272A-0210 for on-site sewage system components to meet minimum horizontal separations to surface water used as a public drinking water source. May 1, 2026 - Office of Radiation Protection
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No active policy and interpretive statements at this time.
- Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences
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No active policy and interpretive statements at this time.
- Office of the Assistant Secretary
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Title Brief Description Effective Date Motor carriers - Access to restroom facilities Outlines the Department of Health's (department) process to enforce RCW 70.54.500, Motor carriers - Access to restroom facilities. July 1, 2024
Rescinded Policy and Interpretive Statements
Below are policy and interpretive statements that have been rescinded in the past 12 months. This means these statements are no longer in effect or active. All statements are in PDF format.