Texas House Bill HB2998

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities.

Impact

The bill amends the Health and Safety Code by introducing stringent regulations related to the management and testing of drinking water in educational and child care settings. The legislation requires each facility to develop a plan of action to prevent elevated lead levels in the water used for drinking and cooking. Additionally, institutions must adopt and maintain filters certified by the National Sanitation Foundation to ensure safe water quality. This creates an important framework for safeguarding public health and enforces accountability among public water systems in maintaining water safety standards.

Summary

House Bill 2998 addresses the critical issue of lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care facilities in Texas. The bill mandates the replacement of lead service lines at public schools, private schools, and child care facilities served by public water systems. This replacement is the responsibility of the public water systems, which must coordinate with local municipalities and educational institutions. By enforcing the removal of these dangerous lead service lines, the bill aims to significantly reduce the risk of lead exposure to children, who are particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB2998 may arise from the funding and logistics of the lead service line replacement. Public water systems are responsible for covering the costs of these replacements, which could raise concerns about financial implications for municipalities and potential challenges in execution. Additionally, there may be debates on the effectiveness of the testing processes and the measures outlined for immediate remediation in cases where lead contamination is detected, emphasizing the need for rigorous oversight to ensure compliance with the established standards.