Requiring public and private drinking water utilities to create a source water protection assessment and plan

This bill requires public and private drinking water utilities to file a source water protection assessment and plan. The bill requires a public or private drinking water utility (utility) to file a source water protection assessment (assessment) by December 31, 2025, and to file a source water protection plan (plan) by December 31, 2026. The environmental protection commission (commission) shall establish rules related to the filing of the plan and assessment. The bill requires the assessment to identify threats to a utility’s source water and distribution system and to include alternative methods to disinfect the source water. The bill requires the plan to identify strategies and resources to mitigate the threats identified in the assessment. A utility shall file an assessment and a plan every five years. The bill allows the department to decline an assessment or plan that does not comply with the requirements established by the commission. If a utility does not have an approved assessment or plan, the utility shall not be eligible to receive a state water revolving loan or other state funding, on and after January 1, 2027. The bill requires the department to provide the filed plans on the department’s internet site.