Bill > S2535

This bill aims to improve the safety of drinking water by establishing deadlines for corrosion control treatment steps for lead and copper, particularly for small and medium-sized water systems. A "medium water system" serves between 3,300 and 50,000 people, while a "small water system" serves 3,300 or fewer. The bill defines "optimal corrosion control treatment" as a method that minimizes lead and copper at the tap without violating drinking water regulations. It outlines a process where these systems, after exceeding an "action level" (a specific concentration of lead or copper defined in federal regulations), must recommend treatment, undergo studies or have treatment designated by a state agency, install the treatment, and then conduct follow-up sampling and reviews. Additionally, the bill enhances public notification requirements for lead exceedances, mandating that the public be informed within 15 days of an exceedance and that affected households receive a short-term remedy like bottled water or a filter within 7 days of public notification. Finally, it requires states to post annual consumer confidence reports from community water systems on their websites and include an educational statement about lead in drinking water.