DRINKING WATER SOURCE CHANGE

House Bill 4749 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Lynn Afendoulis

Committee:  Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation

Complete to 10-15-19

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4749 would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the supplier of a public water supply to comply with testing and reporting requirements before changing the source of the water supply. Currently, the supplier must have water samples collected on a schedule at least equal to that outlined in the Michigan Administrative Rules,[1] have them tested in a state laboratory or a laboratory certified by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) or by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for contaminants listed in the state Drinking Water Standards, and report the results to EGLE as specified in the rules. Imposition of administrative fines upon violation of these rules would remain unchanged.

MCL 325.1007

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4749 would not affect costs or revenues for EGLE. The bill is likely to increase water testing costs for local governments who operate a public water supply by requiring additional water testing under certain circumstances. The extent of this cost increase is uncertain and likely to vary by supplier. The Safe Drinking Water Act allows EGLE to impose administrative fines for failing to comply with statutory water testing requirements; these fines would be unchanged under the bill. The bill is not likely to affect local government revenues.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Austin Scott

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

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