New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S276

Introduced
1/11/22  

Caption

Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools of violations of drinking water quality standards.

Impact

If enacted, S276 would have significant implications for public health and safety regulations within New Jersey. The legislation emphasizes the importance of transparency and swift action in response to drinking water violations, providing a framework for communication between water suppliers and community stakeholders. This proactive approach is designed to safeguard public health by ensuring that individuals, particularly those in educational institutions, are informed of risks related to their drinking water.

Summary

Senate Bill 276 mandates that public water system owners or operators must notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools immediately upon violations of drinking water quality standards. The bill aims to ensure timely communication regarding water safety and potential health risks associated with contaminated drinking water. Notifications must include specific details such as the type of contaminant, the levels detected, the sampling dates, and the locations of the contaminated samples, along with potential remedial actions that can be taken.

Contention

The discussions surrounding the bill may involve points of contention regarding the enforcement and implementation of these notification requirements. Some stakeholders, such as water suppliers and municipal authorities, may express concerns about the burden placed upon them by the mandated notifications, particularly regarding the immediacy of reporting and the potential for public panic. On the other hand, proponents argue that such measures are critical in fostering accountability among water providers and ensuring that community members can take informed actions to protect their health.

Companion Bills

NJ A3326

Same As Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools of violations of drinking water quality standards.

Previously Filed As

NJ S1200

Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education of violations of drinking water quality standards.

NJ A2016

Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education of violations of drinking water quality standards.

NJ S3833

Requires public water systems to provide certain notice of boil water notices and violations of drinking water quality standards.

NJ S3837

Requires water suppliers to reimburse residential customers for drinking water testing under certain circumstances.

NJ SCR28

Strongly urges DEP to adopt standards for certain drinking water contaminants as recommended by NJ Drinking Water Quality Institute.

NJ S3223

Requires schools and child care centers to test drinking water for lead every two years and install filters certified to reduce lead levels.

NJ HB5674

Water supply: quality and standards; clean drinking water requirements in schools and child care centers; modify. Amends secs. 3, 5 & 7 of 2023 PA 154 (MCL 380.1903 et seq.).

NJ S631

Ensuring safe drinking water in schools

NJ H991

Ensuring safe drinking water in schools

NJ A1808

Requires schools and child care centers to test drinking water for lead every two years and install filters certified to reduce lead levels.

Similar Bills

NJ A2016

Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education of violations of drinking water quality standards.

NJ S1200

Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education of violations of drinking water quality standards.

CA AB914

Air pollution: indirect sources.

NJ A3113

Requires DEP to perform certain assessments concerning regulation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

CA SB1046

Occupational safety: transboundary pollution.

NJ SCR28

Strongly urges DEP to adopt standards for certain drinking water contaminants as recommended by NJ Drinking Water Quality Institute.

CA AB1106

State Air Resources Board: regional air quality incident response program.

NJ S3833

Requires public water systems to provide certain notice of boil water notices and violations of drinking water quality standards.