DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 260 Original 2020 Regular Session Wright
Abstract: Provides for testing by the office of public health for secondary water contaminants in
privately operated community water systems.
Present law requires the office of public health (OPH) to perform all inspections, tests, or procedures
on public water supplies as may be authorized by the administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law defines "community water system" as a public water system that serves year-round
residents within a residential setting. Provides that examples of community water systems include
systems serving municipalities, water districts, subdivisions, and mobile home parks. Proposed law
retains present law.
Proposed law defines "secondary contaminant", for purposes of proposed law, as a substance for
which secondary maximum contaminant levels are established in the National Secondary Drinking
Water Regulations of the EPA.
Proposed law provides that in addition to the requirements of present law relative to testing of water
supplies, OPH shall, at least once per calendar year, perform tests for secondary contaminants in
water supplied by each privately operated community water system in La. at no cost to the water
system or to any municipality or parish governing authority that contracts with the water system.
Effective Jan. 1, 2021.
(Adds R.S. 40:5.6.2)