Amended IN Senate May 30, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 541Introduced by Assembly Member WoodFebruary 08, 2023 An act to add Section 116596 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to water. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 541, as amended, Wood. California Safe Drinking Water Act: wildfire aftermath: benzene testing.The California Safe Drinking Water Act provides for the operation of public water systems and imposes on the State Water Resources Control Board various responsibilities and duties relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health.This bill would direct the board, on or after January 1, 2024, to require a public water system, water corporation, or water district that has experienced a major wildfire event within their service territory to test their water source for the presence of benzene immediately following that major wildfire event. system that has experienced a wildfire event meeting specified criteria to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event or, if an evacuation order prevents access to the water source for more than 15 days after the wildfire event, immediately when access to the water source is restored.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Wildfires have been increasing in frequency and severity in California. Recent wildfires have severely damaged critical infrastructure unable to withstand wildfire temperatures, underscoring the need to fire harden critical infrastructure.(b) Recent fires have left the communities of Santa Rosa and Paradise with unforeseen wildfire recovery challenges due to the presence of contaminants, including benzene, in water sources due to pipe failures and the permeation of fire residues during wildfires. sources.(c) Benzene is both a natural and human-made compound used as a building block for industrial products such as plastic, lubricants, rubber, detergents, and pesticide. It is also found in crude oil, gasoline, and wildfire smoke. It has been connected to various physical ailments, according to federal warnings, including skin and eye irritation, and vomiting from short-term exposure. Long-term exposure has been linked to anemia and leukemia.(d) Certain water Water transmission and distribution infrastructure components can lose their integrity when heated, burned, or melted during a fire. The resulting loss of water system integrity can cause leeching, emission, and permeation of contaminants, exposing first responders, the public, and the environment to pollutants, and disrupts can be impacted during wildfires, disrupting the ability to supply safe drinking water to occupancies during postfire recovery.SEC. 2.Section 116596 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:116596.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Water corporation has the same meaning as defined in Section 241 of the Public Utilities Code.(2)Water district has the same meaning as defined in Section 20200 of the Water Code.(b)On or after January 1, 2024, the board shall require a public water system, water corporation, or water district that has experienced a major wildfire event within their service territory to test their water source for the presence of benzene immediately following the major wildfire event.SEC. 2. Section 116596 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:116596. (a) For purposes of this section, wildfire has the same meaning as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code.(b) On or after January 1, 2024, the state board shall require a public water system that has experienced a wildfire event of 300 acres or more, if the event damaged or destroyed a dwelling or dwellings connected to the public water systems water distribution system, to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event.(c) If an evacuation order prevents a public water system from accessing its water source for more than 15 days after a wildfire event, the public water system shall perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene immediately when access to the water source is restored.
Amended IN Senate May 30, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 541Introduced by Assembly Member WoodFebruary 08, 2023 An act to add Section 116596 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to water. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 541, as amended, Wood. California Safe Drinking Water Act: wildfire aftermath: benzene testing.The California Safe Drinking Water Act provides for the operation of public water systems and imposes on the State Water Resources Control Board various responsibilities and duties relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health.This bill would direct the board, on or after January 1, 2024, to require a public water system, water corporation, or water district that has experienced a major wildfire event within their service territory to test their water source for the presence of benzene immediately following that major wildfire event. system that has experienced a wildfire event meeting specified criteria to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event or, if an evacuation order prevents access to the water source for more than 15 days after the wildfire event, immediately when access to the water source is restored.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate May 30, 2023
Amended IN Senate May 30, 2023
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 541
Introduced by Assembly Member WoodFebruary 08, 2023
Introduced by Assembly Member Wood
February 08, 2023
An act to add Section 116596 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to water.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 541, as amended, Wood. California Safe Drinking Water Act: wildfire aftermath: benzene testing.
The California Safe Drinking Water Act provides for the operation of public water systems and imposes on the State Water Resources Control Board various responsibilities and duties relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health.This bill would direct the board, on or after January 1, 2024, to require a public water system, water corporation, or water district that has experienced a major wildfire event within their service territory to test their water source for the presence of benzene immediately following that major wildfire event. system that has experienced a wildfire event meeting specified criteria to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event or, if an evacuation order prevents access to the water source for more than 15 days after the wildfire event, immediately when access to the water source is restored.
The California Safe Drinking Water Act provides for the operation of public water systems and imposes on the State Water Resources Control Board various responsibilities and duties relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health.
This bill would direct the board, on or after January 1, 2024, to require a public water system, water corporation, or water district that has experienced a major wildfire event within their service territory to test their water source for the presence of benzene immediately following that major wildfire event. system that has experienced a wildfire event meeting specified criteria to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event or, if an evacuation order prevents access to the water source for more than 15 days after the wildfire event, immediately when access to the water source is restored.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Wildfires have been increasing in frequency and severity in California. Recent wildfires have severely damaged critical infrastructure unable to withstand wildfire temperatures, underscoring the need to fire harden critical infrastructure.(b) Recent fires have left the communities of Santa Rosa and Paradise with unforeseen wildfire recovery challenges due to the presence of contaminants, including benzene, in water sources due to pipe failures and the permeation of fire residues during wildfires. sources.(c) Benzene is both a natural and human-made compound used as a building block for industrial products such as plastic, lubricants, rubber, detergents, and pesticide. It is also found in crude oil, gasoline, and wildfire smoke. It has been connected to various physical ailments, according to federal warnings, including skin and eye irritation, and vomiting from short-term exposure. Long-term exposure has been linked to anemia and leukemia.(d) Certain water Water transmission and distribution infrastructure components can lose their integrity when heated, burned, or melted during a fire. The resulting loss of water system integrity can cause leeching, emission, and permeation of contaminants, exposing first responders, the public, and the environment to pollutants, and disrupts can be impacted during wildfires, disrupting the ability to supply safe drinking water to occupancies during postfire recovery.SEC. 2.Section 116596 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:116596.(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Water corporation has the same meaning as defined in Section 241 of the Public Utilities Code.(2)Water district has the same meaning as defined in Section 20200 of the Water Code.(b)On or after January 1, 2024, the board shall require a public water system, water corporation, or water district that has experienced a major wildfire event within their service territory to test their water source for the presence of benzene immediately following the major wildfire event.SEC. 2. Section 116596 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:116596. (a) For purposes of this section, wildfire has the same meaning as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code.(b) On or after January 1, 2024, the state board shall require a public water system that has experienced a wildfire event of 300 acres or more, if the event damaged or destroyed a dwelling or dwellings connected to the public water systems water distribution system, to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event.(c) If an evacuation order prevents a public water system from accessing its water source for more than 15 days after a wildfire event, the public water system shall perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene immediately when access to the water source is restored.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Wildfires have been increasing in frequency and severity in California. Recent wildfires have severely damaged critical infrastructure unable to withstand wildfire temperatures, underscoring the need to fire harden critical infrastructure.(b) Recent fires have left the communities of Santa Rosa and Paradise with unforeseen wildfire recovery challenges due to the presence of contaminants, including benzene, in water sources due to pipe failures and the permeation of fire residues during wildfires. sources.(c) Benzene is both a natural and human-made compound used as a building block for industrial products such as plastic, lubricants, rubber, detergents, and pesticide. It is also found in crude oil, gasoline, and wildfire smoke. It has been connected to various physical ailments, according to federal warnings, including skin and eye irritation, and vomiting from short-term exposure. Long-term exposure has been linked to anemia and leukemia.(d) Certain water Water transmission and distribution infrastructure components can lose their integrity when heated, burned, or melted during a fire. The resulting loss of water system integrity can cause leeching, emission, and permeation of contaminants, exposing first responders, the public, and the environment to pollutants, and disrupts can be impacted during wildfires, disrupting the ability to supply safe drinking water to occupancies during postfire recovery.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Wildfires have been increasing in frequency and severity in California. Recent wildfires have severely damaged critical infrastructure unable to withstand wildfire temperatures, underscoring the need to fire harden critical infrastructure.(b) Recent fires have left the communities of Santa Rosa and Paradise with unforeseen wildfire recovery challenges due to the presence of contaminants, including benzene, in water sources due to pipe failures and the permeation of fire residues during wildfires. sources.(c) Benzene is both a natural and human-made compound used as a building block for industrial products such as plastic, lubricants, rubber, detergents, and pesticide. It is also found in crude oil, gasoline, and wildfire smoke. It has been connected to various physical ailments, according to federal warnings, including skin and eye irritation, and vomiting from short-term exposure. Long-term exposure has been linked to anemia and leukemia.(d) Certain water Water transmission and distribution infrastructure components can lose their integrity when heated, burned, or melted during a fire. The resulting loss of water system integrity can cause leeching, emission, and permeation of contaminants, exposing first responders, the public, and the environment to pollutants, and disrupts can be impacted during wildfires, disrupting the ability to supply safe drinking water to occupancies during postfire recovery.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
### SECTION 1.
(a) Wildfires have been increasing in frequency and severity in California. Recent wildfires have severely damaged critical infrastructure unable to withstand wildfire temperatures, underscoring the need to fire harden critical infrastructure.
(b) Recent fires have left the communities of Santa Rosa and Paradise with unforeseen wildfire recovery challenges due to the presence of contaminants, including benzene, in water sources due to pipe failures and the permeation of fire residues during wildfires. sources.
(c) Benzene is both a natural and human-made compound used as a building block for industrial products such as plastic, lubricants, rubber, detergents, and pesticide. It is also found in crude oil, gasoline, and wildfire smoke. It has been connected to various physical ailments, according to federal warnings, including skin and eye irritation, and vomiting from short-term exposure. Long-term exposure has been linked to anemia and leukemia.
(d) Certain water Water transmission and distribution infrastructure components can lose their integrity when heated, burned, or melted during a fire. The resulting loss of water system integrity can cause leeching, emission, and permeation of contaminants, exposing first responders, the public, and the environment to pollutants, and disrupts can be impacted during wildfires, disrupting the ability to supply safe drinking water to occupancies during postfire recovery.
(a)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Water corporation has the same meaning as defined in Section 241 of the Public Utilities Code.
(2)Water district has the same meaning as defined in Section 20200 of the Water Code.
(b)On or after January 1, 2024, the board shall require a public water system, water corporation, or water district that has experienced a major wildfire event within their service territory to test their water source for the presence of benzene immediately following the major wildfire event.
SEC. 2. Section 116596 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:116596. (a) For purposes of this section, wildfire has the same meaning as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code.(b) On or after January 1, 2024, the state board shall require a public water system that has experienced a wildfire event of 300 acres or more, if the event damaged or destroyed a dwelling or dwellings connected to the public water systems water distribution system, to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event.(c) If an evacuation order prevents a public water system from accessing its water source for more than 15 days after a wildfire event, the public water system shall perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene immediately when access to the water source is restored.
SEC. 2. Section 116596 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
116596. (a) For purposes of this section, wildfire has the same meaning as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code.(b) On or after January 1, 2024, the state board shall require a public water system that has experienced a wildfire event of 300 acres or more, if the event damaged or destroyed a dwelling or dwellings connected to the public water systems water distribution system, to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event.(c) If an evacuation order prevents a public water system from accessing its water source for more than 15 days after a wildfire event, the public water system shall perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene immediately when access to the water source is restored.
116596. (a) For purposes of this section, wildfire has the same meaning as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code.(b) On or after January 1, 2024, the state board shall require a public water system that has experienced a wildfire event of 300 acres or more, if the event damaged or destroyed a dwelling or dwellings connected to the public water systems water distribution system, to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event.(c) If an evacuation order prevents a public water system from accessing its water source for more than 15 days after a wildfire event, the public water system shall perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene immediately when access to the water source is restored.
116596. (a) For purposes of this section, wildfire has the same meaning as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code.(b) On or after January 1, 2024, the state board shall require a public water system that has experienced a wildfire event of 300 acres or more, if the event damaged or destroyed a dwelling or dwellings connected to the public water systems water distribution system, to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event.(c) If an evacuation order prevents a public water system from accessing its water source for more than 15 days after a wildfire event, the public water system shall perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene immediately when access to the water source is restored.
116596. (a) For purposes of this section, wildfire has the same meaning as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code.
(b) On or after January 1, 2024, the state board shall require a public water system that has experienced a wildfire event of 300 acres or more, if the event damaged or destroyed a dwelling or dwellings connected to the public water systems water distribution system, to perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene no more than 15 days after the wildfire event.
(c) If an evacuation order prevents a public water system from accessing its water source for more than 15 days after a wildfire event, the public water system shall perform sample collection and analysis for the presence of benzene immediately when access to the water source is restored.