Bill > SB1666

This bill, titled "The Drinking Water Transparency and Accountability Act," establishes a system for regulating community water systems in Missouri to ensure the sustainability and quality of drinking water for citizens. A "community water system" is defined as a public water system serving at least fifteen connections and twenty-five residents annually, including various types of water providers like water corporations and public water districts. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (Department) will create a statewide accountability process, assigning letter grades (A through F) to community water systems based on factors such as violations of drinking water laws, financial sustainability, operational performance, and infrastructure integrity. The Department will develop rules for this grading system, with specific point deductions for violations, and will publish these grades annually on its website after providing a process for systems to review and appeal them. Systems receiving a "D" or "F" grade will be considered operationally unacceptable and may face administrative penalties, oversight of their funding by an auditor, and restrictions on incurring new debt not related to water system improvements. Local governing authorities operating such systems will be prohibited from using water revenue for purposes other than system improvements, and violations could lead to the appointment of a receiver or fiscal administrator. The Department is required to publish the first letter grades by January 1, 2028, and systems receiving federal funds for infrastructure upgrades must submit a detailed plan for their use.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=4514473