Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
WATER SYSTEMS
Chapter 246-293 - Water System Coordination Act
Part III - FIRE FLOW
Section 246-293-610 - Definitions

(1) "Public water system" - Any system or water supply intended or used for human consumption or other domestic uses including, but not limited to, source, treatment, storage, transmission and distribution facilities where water is furnished to any community, number of individuals, or is made available to the public for human consumption or domestic use. This definition shall exclude any water system serving one single family residence, water systems existing prior to September 21, 1977, which are owner operated and serve less than ten single family residences, and water systems serving no more than one industrial plant.

(2) "Expanding public water systems" - Those public water systems installing additions, extensions, changes, or alterations to their existing source, transmission, storage, or distribution facilities which will enable the system to increase in size its existing service area. New individual retail or direct service connections onto an existing distribution system shall not be considered an expansion of the public water system.

(3) "Department" - The Washington state department of social and health services.

(4) "Critical water supply service area" - A geographical area designated by the department or county legislative authority characterized by public water system problems related to inadequate water quality, unreliable service, and/or lack of coordinated water system planning. It may be further characterized by a proliferation of small, inadequate water systems, or by water supply problems which threaten the present or future water quality or reliability of service in such a manner that efficient and orderly development may best be achieved through coordinated planning by public water systems in the area in accordance with chapter 248-56 WAC.

(5) "Fire flow" - The rate of water delivery needed for the purpose of fighting fires in addition to requirements for normal domestic maximum instantaneous demand as referenced in guidelines published by the department entitled "Design standards for public water supplies."

(6) "Local fire protection authority" - The fire district, city, town, or county directly responsible for the fire protection within a specified geographical area.

(7) "Water system plan" - A document identifying present and future water system needs and establishing a program for meeting those needs in the most efficient manner possible, and consistent with other relevant plans and policies affecting the area in which the system is located. (See WAC 248-54-580, 248-56-710 and 248-56-720, and the plan content guidelines for a detailed description of water system plans.)

(8) "Existing service area" - A specific area within which direct service or retail service connections to customers of a public water system are currently available.

(9) "Future service area" - A specific area for which water service is planned by a public water system as determined by written agreement between purveyors. (See WAC 248-56-730.)

(10) "Planning jurisdiction" - The city, town, county or other entity acting as the responsible agency for preparation and adoption of land use plans, policies or standards affecting development.

(11) "Development classifications" - Specific geographical areas within the existing and future service area of a public water system, identified for the purpose of determining the appropriate level of fire protection.