Bill > SB1408

This bill requires owners of waterworks (water utility systems) to report certain equipment failures and contaminant releases to the Department of Health's Office of Drinking Water. Specifically, the bill mandates immediate reporting of critical equipment failures or contaminant releases within two hours of discovery, defining these as incidents with potential serious health risks or service disruptions. The bill also requires owners who submit monthly operating reports to include details about any non-critical equipment failures or malfunctions that could potentially impact water quality, public health, or service continuity. The legislation provides detailed definitions for key terms like "contaminant release" (an unplanned chemical or petroleum release), "critical equipment failure" (a failure with significant health or service impact), and "equipment malfunction" (an unplanned performance issue caused by external factors). The goal of the bill appears to be improving transparency and rapid communication about potential water system issues that could affect public safety and water service reliability.

Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1408