An Act Establishing Pfas-related Public Water Supply Testing Standards And Requirements.
Summary
SB 733 would amend the general statutes to establish PFAS-related testing and response requirements for public water suppliers. The bill requires public water suppliers to conduct monthly testing to ensure PFAS levels do not exceed 20 parts per trillion. If the average of the monthly tests over a three-month period is above that threshold, the supplier must take corrective action to reduce PFAS contamination.
The bill identifies examples of corrective measures, including connecting the system to new water sources, installing PFAS treatment filters, and blending higher- and lower-PFAS well water. Its stated purpose is to create a maximum contaminant level for PFAS in public drinking water supplies, effectively setting a statewide standard for monitoring and mitigation of these “forever chemicals.”
Impact
If enacted, the bill would impose a new statutory testing and compliance framework on public water suppliers in Connecticut. It would require ongoing monthly PFAS monitoring, establish a 20 parts per trillion benchmark, and trigger remediation obligations when the three-month average exceeds that level. The measure would directly affect municipal and other public drinking water systems, potentially requiring operational changes, infrastructure upgrades, treatment investments, and source-water adjustments.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a public-health and environmental protection approach to drinking water safety, with an emphasis on reducing PFAS exposure. The absence of recorded discussion makes it difficult to assess the balance of support, but the bill’s purpose suggests a precautionary regulatory stance.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the cost and feasibility of compliance for public water suppliers, especially smaller systems that may need new treatment technology, interconnections, or blending strategies to meet the standard. Another possible issue is the choice of the 20 parts per trillion threshold and whether it is sufficiently protective or operationally achievable. Environmental and public health advocates would likely favor the bill’s stricter monitoring and remediation requirements, while water utilities and municipal stakeholders may raise concerns about implementation burdens and funding.