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Bill > A1042

NJ A1042

NJ A1042
Requires owners or operators of public community water systems to perform certain tests for Legionella bacteria.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would require the owner or operator of a public community water system to perform certain tests for Legionella bacteria on the drinking water in the public community water system. Specifically, the bill would require the owner or operator to test water from the system side of a random sample of 0.1 percent of the service lines in the service area of the public community water system, at least once every three months. In addition, the bill would require testing of a random sample of one percent of the public community water system's facilities (including storage tanks, treatment plants, pumps, and water mains), at least once every month. The bill requires the water sampling and testing to be performed using a set of best practices developed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In addition, the bill would require the water testing to be performed by a laboratory accredited by the DEP. The bill would also require the owner or operator of a public community water system to transmit the test results to the DEP. If the test results reveal the presence of excessive Legionella contamination, according to a standard to be developed by the DEP under the bill, the owner or operator would be required to begin remediation of the problem within 30 days, and the remediation would be required to be completed within six months. The owner or operator would also be required to notify customers that may be affected by the Legionella contamination. A violation of the bill's provisions would be considered a violation of the "Safe Drinking Water Act," P.L.1977, c.224 (C.58:12A-1 et seq.), which could result in civil administrative penalties of up to $25,000 per violation.

AI Summary

This bill requires owners or operators of public community water systems, which are systems that provide water to the public year-round, to test their drinking water for Legionella bacteria. Specifically, they must test water from a random sample of at least 0.1 percent of service lines, which are the pipes connecting the main water supply to individual properties, in each of the four quadrants of their service area every three months. Additionally, they must test water from a random sample of at least one percent of their water system facilities, such as storage tanks, treatment plants, pumps, and water mains, every month. These tests must follow best practices developed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and be conducted by a DEP-accredited laboratory. Test results must be reported to the DEP, and if excessive Legionella contamination is found, remediation must begin within 30 days and be completed within six months, with affected customers being notified. Violations of these requirements will be treated as violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act, potentially leading to civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. The DEP is tasked with developing rules and regulations within 18 months to establish testing standards, acceptable contamination levels, and define which facilities are subject to testing.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 01/13/2026)
(3 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1042
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1042_I1.HTM
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