Bill > S08486

This bill enacts the Drinking Water Protection Act, which establishes a comprehensive framework for creating and implementing watershed rules and regulations to protect public drinking water sources. The bill allows water suppliers (such as cities, villages, water districts, and water-works corporations) to draft watershed rules that can be approved by the Department of Health. These rules can address a wide range of water protection measures, including delineating protection areas, setting standards for residential activities near water sources, managing nutrients and livestock access, controlling stormwater and erosion, regulating the storage and handling of potentially harmful substances, and establishing inspection and enforcement mechanisms. The bill defines key terms like "watershed" (land that drains to a drinking water source) and introduces the concept of "emerging contaminants" such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and microplastics. It requires the Department of Health to develop a procedural manual for creating watershed rules, mandates that suppliers update their existing rules, and establishes a review process every ten years. The bill also provides for public consultation, allows for inspections of non-residential properties, permits civil penalties for violations, and requires an annual report to state legislative leaders about watershed rule adoptions and water quality trends. The act will take effect one year after becoming law.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8486