89R10830 ANG-D
By: Menéndez, Bettencourt S.B. No. 1929
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to water testing by the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality at correctional facilities operated by the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice and county jails.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 341, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 341.0392 to read as follows:
Sec. 341.0392. WATER TESTING AT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND
COUNTY JAILS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Correctional facility" means a correctional
facility operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
(2) "Safe Drinking Water Act" means the federal Safe
Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.).
(3) "Tap test" means a water sample collected and
tested in the manner prescribed by the federal monitoring
requirements for lead, copper, and arsenic in tap water under 40
C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart I.
(b) In addition to any water test required by the Safe
Drinking Water Act, the commission shall require commission staff
or a qualified contractor to perform regular tap tests at each
correctional facility and county jail to monitor the water from
potable water outlets at the facility or jail.
(c) If the commissioner determines that the amount of lead,
copper, or arsenic in a potable water outlet of a correctional
facility or county jail exceeds the level of lead, copper, or
arsenic considered safe for human consumption as established by
rules adopted under Subsection (f), the affected correctional
facility or county jail shall prevent the use of the potable water
outlet until tests confirm the water in the potable water outlet is
safe for human consumption.
(d) The commission may establish the frequency of tap
testing at a correctional facility or county jail that is necessary
to ensure the levels of lead, copper, and arsenic do not exceed the
levels of lead, copper, and arsenic safe for human consumption as
established by the commission.
(e) A correctional facility or county jail shall allow the
commission access to necessary facilities for purposes of tap
testing under this section.
(f) The commission, in consultation with the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice and the commissioners court of each
county, shall adopt rules to implement this section, including
rules to establish the level of lead, copper, and arsenic in
drinking water that is considered safe for human consumption. The
rules adopted under this section must be consistent with the
requirements for public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water
Act.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.