BILL NUMBER: SB 552	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wolk

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2015

   An act to add Section 116325.5 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to water.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 552, as introduced, Wolk. Public water systems: disadvantaged
communities: drinking water standards.
   Existing law, the California Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the
State Water Resources Control Board to administer provisions
relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public
health, including, but not limited to, conducting research, studies,
and demonstration programs relating to the provision of a dependable,
safe supply of drinking water, enforcing the federal Safe Drinking
Water Act, adoption of enforcement regulations, and conducting
studies and investigations to assess the quality of water in domestic
water supplies. Existing law requires the state board to ensure that
all public water systems are operated in compliance with the act.
   This bill would require, by January 1, 2017, the state board to
develop a plan, including enforcement mechanisms, to ensure that
disadvantaged communities have water systems that are in compliance
with state and federal drinking water standards. The bill would
require the plan to identify strategies to help bring disadvantaged
communities into compliance with safe drinking water standards.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) An estimated 500 public water systems in disadvantaged
communities rely on, and have to pay high rates for, sources of
drinking water that do not meet state and federal safe drinking water
standards.
   (b) Although funding sources are available to assist disadvantaged
communities with needed capital improvements, these communities
often lack governance infrastructure, technical expertise, and the
ability to pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance costs
necessary to continue to meet the state and federal drinking water
standards.
  SEC. 2.  Section 116325.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code,
to read:
   116325.5.  (a) On or before January 1, 2017, the State Water
Resources Control Board shall develop a plan, including enforcement
mechanisms, to ensure that disadvantaged communities have water
systems that are in compliance with state and federal drinking water
standards.
   (b) The plan shall identify strategies to help bring the
disadvantaged communities into compliance with safe drinking water
standards, including the following:
   (1) Improved, effective governance structure.
   (2) Access to technical assistance.
   (3) Implementation of capital improvements.
   (4) Sources of revenue to fund ongoing operations and maintenance
costs.