Revised

Agenda Date:  March 24, 1999
Item Number:


Docket:   U-971835

Company Names:  Administrative - General

Staff:    Jo Wadsworth, Year 2000 Project Coordinator
    Gene Eckhardt, Asst. Director, Water and Transportation

Recommendations:

Direct the Executive Secretary to sign a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) 
between the Commission and the Department of Health(DOH).  The MOU stipulates 
that the DOH will coordinate Year 2000 issues for all water systems including 
those regulated by Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

Discussion:

The Commission issued two orders in Docket No. U-971835 related to Year 2000 
preparedness for regulated electric, gas, and telecommunications utilities.  
The utility companies are required to provide quarterly Year 2000 progress 
reports and contingency plans.  The purpose of these orders was to encourage 
regulated utilities to take steps to ensure uninterrupted services during and 
after the Year 2000.  Water companies were not included in the two orders.  
Discussions have taken place with the DOH to initiate action to encourage all 
state water companies and systems to take steps to ensure services continue 
uninterrupted in the Year 2000.

In the area of water regulation, the Commission regulates fewer  than 4% of the 
water systems that provide services to customers in Washington.  The Department 
of Health has the authority and responsibility for water quantity and water 
quality for all water systems. Already in place is a Memorandum of 
Understanding with the Department of Health, Water Program to coordinate agency 
efforts.   The Memorandum of Understanding states the Department of Health is 
the lead agency for all water systems in the areas of water quantity and water 
quality.

This proposed MOU identifies Year 2000 issues specifically for coordination 
between the Department of Health and the Commission and  states the Department 
of Health is the lead agency for sending information and follow-up requests to 
all water systems operating in this State. 



Docket U-971835
March 24, 1999
Page 2

The Department of Health will:

•Send letters directing water companies/systems to make Year 2000 plans and to 
take the necessary steps to correct and prepare all internal systems and 
connections;

•Require all WUTC regulated water systems (and others with more than 100 
connections) to send a written affirmation of assurance regarding Year 2000 
plans and readiness to the DOH;

•Send the regulated water systems’ affirmations to the WUTC for compilation and 
posting for public information;

•Provide follow-up actions to the initial letter to ensure that water systems 
send back the affirmations.

This is a different approach than the Commission has taken with the electric, 
gas, and telecommunication utilities but it would provide for a uniform 
approach by two state agencies for all water systems in Washington and it would 
give the Commission and thus the public information regarding the status of 
regulated water systems Year 2000 plans and readiness.

Therefore, the staff recommends that the Commission direct the Executive 
Secretary to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.


Attachment