BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2049
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 9, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 2049 (Dahle) - Introduced: February 20, 2014
Policy Committee: Environmental
Safety and Toxic Materials Vote: 6-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill expands the authorization that allows small public
water systems to use point-of-use and point-of-entry treatment
in lieu of centralized treatment. Specifically, this bill
increases the number of service connections from 200 to 500 for
eligible small systems.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor, if any state costs.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale. According to the State Water Resources Control
Board (SWRCB), between the years of 2002 and 2010, over 600
systems serving 21 million residents relied on contaminated
groundwater. Some community water systems cannot afford
treatment and lack drinking water infrastructure and
alternative drinking water sources. According to the author,
this bill increases the number of small water systems that can
take advantage of cost effective interim treatment options.
2)Background. Point-of-use treatment consists of a small device
that treats water, at or near its use within a building.
Point-of-entry treatment typically consists of a larger device
that treats water, as it enters a building. The federal Safe
Drinking Water Act allows systems to install POU and POE
treatment devices to achieve compliance with the National
Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
AB 2049
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Current state law directs DPH to adopt regulations governing
the use of POU and POE treatment by public water systems in
lieu of centralized treatment where it can be demonstrated
that centralized treatment is not immediately economically
feasible. Use of such systems is to be limited to the
following:
a) Water systems with less than 200 service connections.
b) Usage allowed under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act
and its implementing regulations and guidance.
c) Water systems that have submitted preapplications to DPH
for funding to correct the violations for which the
point-of-use treatment is provided.
DPH has adopted emergency regulations, and is in the process
of adopting permanent regulations, consistent with the above
criteria, as well as limiting use of point-of-use treatment to
three years or until funding for centralized treatment is
available, whichever is sooner. To demonstrate that a
centralized system is not immediately economically feasible, a
community must report its median household income to DPH,
among other data.
DPH reports it currently certifies POU and POE water treatment
systems as part of its Water Treatment Device Certification
program.
3)Prior Legislation. SB 962 (Anderson) of 2012 contained the
same provision of this bill and was held on this committee's
Suspense File. SB 962 also contained audit requirements and
certification provision not in this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081