Primary drinking water standards: hexavalent chromium: compliance plan.
Impact
The bill impacts California state laws regarding drinking water safety, particularly for a contaminant known to pose health risks. By permitting extensions for compliance with established standards, SB 1065 acknowledges the challenges faced by public water systems in upgrading their infrastructure. The provision mandates strict adherence to compliance plans during the extension period, ensuring transparency through public notices and consumer confidence reports.
Summary
Senate Bill 1065, introduced by Senator Padilla, aims to amend the California Safe Drinking Water Act concerning the primary drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium. The bill allows the State Water Resources Control Board to grant extensions of up to three years for public water systems to comply with this standard. This flexibility is intended to accommodate public water systems that are making good faith efforts to meet the regulatory requirements while necessary infrastructure improvements are completed.
Sentiment
There is a supportive sentiment toward the bill among lawmakers who recognize the logistical difficulties public water systems encounter while trying to meet stringent compliance deadlines. However, there is also concern over the implications of extending deadlines for compliance. Opponents may argue that allowing extensions could delay necessary actions to ensure safe drinking water and potentially expose communities to health risks associated with hexavalent chromium.
Contention
A point of contention may arise regarding the thresholds for approving extensions, particularly defining what constitutes 'good faith' efforts by public water systems. Critics of extensions argue that they could create loopholes that allow non-compliance to persist. Moreover, since the bill expands the definition of crimes related to false statements in compliance reporting, it raises questions about enforcement and accountability within the public water systems.
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