‘Permanent plumbing’ now required for all Washington coffee and food stands
The Department of Health in the state of Washington is mandating that all coffee and food stands have permanent plumbing.
In accordance with a modification to their administrative code, stands are now required to have sinks with running water and restrooms on-site.
“We have a hand-washing sink, but no space for a large washing sink,” said Gabby Tucker, manager of Sleeves and Straws Coffee Co on the corner of Boone and Division. However, we make room for our current three-sink setup.
For decades, the Spokane Regional Health Department has mandated that stands have plumbing. Additionally, plumbed restrooms are required for employees. Those may be located in a different building or even a different store, so long as the store agrees and shares the same hours as the stand.
Sleeves and Straps Coffee Co. would use the bathrooms of the nearby liquor and wine store, but they prefer the porta-potty they have.
Tucker stated, “We do not have to worry about the cleanliness of a different restroom that everyone uses.” “We simply know that ours is locked with a padlock and that only five people use it. It is significantly better and cleaner than before, and we have it cleaned every week, every Tuesday, hourly.”
Exceptions may be made for portable toilets, but the decision rests with the Spokane Regional Health Department. However, if Sleeves and Straws were to be sold, the new owner would be required to maintain the same level of compliance and may not be eligible for the exemption.
Tucker stated, “We’re just going to wing it and do what we do best, which is make coffee and make our customers very happy.”
In March, a new code was added. Businesses must comply by September.
