Washing machines: microfiber filters: state laundry facilities: pilot program.

Existing law, to protect public health and water quality, regulates a broad range of consumer products and processes, including water softeners, water treatment devices, and backflow prevention devices, among others. Existing law, the California Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the State Water Resources Control Board to administer provisions relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health. Existing law requires the state board, on or before July 1, 2020, to adopt a definition of microplastics in drinking water, as provided. Existing law requires the Ocean Protection Council, to the extent funds are available, to adopt and implement a Statewide Microplastics Strategy related to microplastic materials that pose an emerging concern for ocean health, as provided. This bill would require the Department of General Services, in coordination with the California Environmental Protection Agency and as soon as feasible, to implement a pilot program for one year to assess the efficacy of microfiber filtration systems in removing microfiber from waste washwater from state-owned laundry facilities. The bill would require the department to monitor the presence of microfiber in waste washwater from 10 state-owned laundry facilities chosen to participate in the pilot program. The bill would require the department, by January 1, 2023, to submit a report to the Legislature on the results of the pilot program. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2027.