Virginia House Bill HB1011

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/22
• Refer: 1/12/22

Caption

Public drinking water; Com. of Health to study occurrence of various substances & acids in water.

Impact

The legislation has significant implications for state laws concerning environmental protection and water safety standards. By establishing a dedicated work group, the state is taking proactive measures to address water quality issues that affect the health of its citizens. Furthermore, the work group's findings and recommendations will be reported to key legislative committees, potentially leading to further regulatory changes aimed at safeguarding public health regarding drinking water quality.

Summary

House Bill 1011 mandates the Commissioner of Health to convene a work group to investigate the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in public drinking water across the Commonwealth. The work group is tasked with acquiring data on the current levels of PFAS contamination and identifying potential sources of this contamination. This initiative represents a crucial step toward improving public health safety by ensuring that drinking water quality meets acceptable safety standards. The PBAS contaminants referenced include various toxic acids that have raised environmental concerns in recent years.

Contention

While the bill sets a framework for addressing environmental health, there may be notable points of contention regarding the effectiveness of resource allocation and the depth of the studies conducted. Stakeholders such as environmental and public health organizations might push for stricter regulations and more extensive testing, while some state officials may argue for limited measures due to fiscal constraints. This divergence highlights the ongoing debates surrounding environmental legislation and the balancing act between public health needs and government resources.