Connecticut House Bill HB05489

Connecticut 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/18
• Refer: 3/7/18

Caption

An Act Concerning Replacement Of Service Lines By A Water Company And Water Testing.

Impact

The bill's enactment will have significant implications for state law as it streamlines the process for lead service line replacements while ensuring the accountability of both water companies and regulatory bodies. By allowing utilities to recover costs associated with replacement from consumers, the bill aims to incentivize timely and effective remediation of hazardous lead pipes. This potential financial burden on consumers has raised concerns about equitable access to clean drinking water, particularly for low-income households. Nevertheless, proponents argue that the public health benefits outweigh the costs.

Summary

House Bill 05489 aims to address public health concerns related to drinking water quality by facilitating the replacement of lead service lines used by water companies. The bill empowers water companies to submit replacement plans to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), detailing the number and schedule for replacing lead service lines found in their systems. Additionally, it allows these companies to recover the costs of replacement either through rate adjustments or customer surcharges. This initiative is designed to reduce lead exposure and improve the safety of drinking water for consumers.

Contention

Debate around HB 05489 centers on the approach taken to address water quality issues. Opponents of the bill have raised concerns regarding the implications of transferring costs to consumers through surcharges, arguing that this could disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. Furthermore, there are apprehensions about the oversight provided by PURA in regulating the plans and costs proposed by water companies. Supporters, however, emphasize the necessity of action against lead contamination and the structured plan's potential to enhance response times in upgrading unsafe water infrastructure.