Connecticut Senate Bill SB00427

Connecticut 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/18
• Refer: 3/7/18

Caption

An Act Concerning Public Trust Components Of The State Water Plan.

Impact

The immediate impact of SB00427 is the reassignment of regulatory authority over private drinking wells. While public water sources are protected under the public trust doctrine, the exclusion of private wells could imply reduced oversight and accountability concerning water quality and pollution. This shift has raised concerns among environmental advocates who worry that diminished regulation may lead to negative environmental consequences, including potential degradation of water standards due to lack of oversight on private wells.

Summary

SB00427, titled 'An Act Concerning Public Trust Components of the State Water Plan,' proposes significant changes to how water resources are managed in Connecticut. The bill aims to clarify that private drinking wells are not included within the public trust framework, meaning that these wells will not be subject to state regulation as part of the state water plan. This legislative initiative is driven by the need to delineate responsibilities regarding water resources and to formalize the distinction between public and private water systems in order to streamline regulations surrounding them.

Contention

The introduction of SB00427 has stirred debate about the implications of removing regulatory protections from private drinking wells. Proponents argue that the existing regulations can be burdensome for individuals relying on private wells for drinking water, potentially enhancing their autonomy and reducing compliance costs. However, opponents express strong concerns that this change may undermine public health and environmental integrity by allowing pollutants to infiltrate private water supplies without adequate oversight, suggesting the need for safeguards even for non-public water sources.