Public water systems: community water systems: lead user service lines.

(1) Existing law prohibits the use of any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, solder, or flux that is not lead free in the installation or repair of any public water system or any plumbing in a facility providing water for human consumption, except as specified. Existing law requires, by July 1, 2018, a public water system to compile an inventory of known lead user service lines in use in its distribution system and identify areas that may have lead user service lines in use in its distribution system. This bill would apply the above-described provisions relating to lead user service lines to a community water system, instead of a public water system, and would require, by July 1, 2020, the community water system to provide a timeline for replacement of known lead user service lines in use in its distribution system to the State Water Resources Control Board. The bill, by July 1, 2020, would require a community water system that has identified areas that may have lead user service lines in use in its distribution system to (a) provide to the state board its determination as to whether there are any lead user service lines in use in those areas of its distribution system and provide a timeline to the state board for replacement of those lead use service lines, and (b) provide findings as to whether there are any areas for which it cannot determine the content of the user service lines and a timeline for the replacement of those user service lines. (2) Existing law, the California Safe Drinking Water Act, imposes on the state board various responsibilities and duties relating to providing a dependable, safe supply of drinking water. The act prohibits a person from operating a public water system without a permit and requires any person who owns a public water system to ensure that the system, among other things, provides a reliable and adequate supply of pure, wholesome, healthful, and potable water. Existing law authorizes the state board to issue an order, as specified, whenever the state board determines a person has violated or is violating the act. The act provides that a person who knowingly makes a false statement or representation in a report submitted, maintained, or used for purposes of compliance with the act or who violates an order issued by the state board pursuant to the act that has a substantial probability of presenting an imminent danger to the health of persons may be punished as a misdemeanor. This bill would specifically authorize the state board to apply and enforce these provisions relating to lead user service lines in community water systems under the California Safe Drinking Water Act and would make a violation of a provision in (1) a violation for purposes of the act. Because a misstatement in the above-described compiled inventory would be a crime, and a violation of an order issued by the state board relating to the use of any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, solder, or flux that is not lead free, as specified, would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program by expanding the scope of a crime. (3) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.