New Jersey Senate Bill S1072

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Requires owners or operators of public community water systems to perform certain tests for Legionella bacteria.

Impact

The enactment of SB 1072 will require public community water systems to adopt a more rigorous testing and reporting regime. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will establish best practices and acceptable concentration levels for Legionella bacteria, ensuring that testing is conducted consistently and effectively. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that if testing reveals excessive levels of Legionella, operators must notify affected customers and commence remediation efforts within a defined timeframe. Violations of these regulations will be treated as violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act, subjecting violators to potential penalties.

Summary

Senate Bill 1072 aims to enhance public health safety by requiring the owners or operators of public community water systems to conduct regular tests for Legionella bacteria in drinking water. Specifically, the bill mandates that these water systems test a random sample of 0.1 percent of service lines every three months and test a random sample of one percent of the system's facilities each month. This proactive approach to water safety is designed to identify and mitigate legionella risks, which can lead to serious health issues.

Contention

While the bill is largely seen as a necessary measure to protect public health, there may be some contention regarding the financial and operational implications for small public water systems. Opponents could argue that the testing requirements pose an undue financial burden, particularly for smaller operators who may struggle to meet the new regulatory demands. On the other hand, proponents emphasize the importance of safeguarding public health and argue that the cost of prevention is far less than the costs associated with potential health outbreaks caused by Legionella contamination.