Connecticut House Bill HB05186

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/20
• Refer: 2/19/20

Caption

An Act Concerning Safe Drinking Water.

Impact

The proposed legislation aims to enhance the safety and reliability of drinking water systems across the state. By enforcing immediate responses to water supply emergencies and establishing protocols for testing and reporting contaminant levels, the bill seeks to minimize health risks associated with unsafe drinking water. Furthermore, small community water systems are required to assess their operations and preparedness systematically, ensuring that localized water systems can meet existing health standards and respond to public health demands.

Summary

House Bill 05186 addresses the critical issue of safe drinking water by establishing regulations for water companies and small community water systems. The bill mandates that water companies must ensure an alternative source of drinking water for consumers in the event of disruptions such as water main breaks or loss of system pressure, thereby protecting public health during critical emergencies. It introduces provisions requiring small community water systems to create detailed capacity implementation plans that outline their managerial, technical, and financial capabilities to operate effectively.

Contention

Notable points of contention include discussions around the financial burden placed on smaller water systems due to the requirement for comprehensive capacity planning. Some stakeholders argue that the costs associated with implementing and maintaining these plans could strain limited resources, particularly for rural or less populated areas. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the adequacy of oversight and the ability of regulatory bodies to enforce the stringent requirements set forth in the bill without additional funding or resources.