Community water systems: lead service lines.

(1) Existing law prohibits a person from using 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 when necessary for the repair of leaded joints of cast iron pipes. This bill would require, until January 1, 2025, or as specified, the State Water Resources Control Board to provide certain federal funds received by the board to community water systems to fund, among other things, the removal or replacement of lead service lines or lead fittings that are owned by a community water system, and the removal or replacement of lead service lines, and galvanized lines downstream of lead service lines or lead components, that are not owned by the community water system, as specified. The bill would also require a community water system to take specified actions when replacing an unknown material user service line or a user service line containing lead. (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 subject to a fine and misdemeanor penalties, or both. This bill would specifically authorize the state board to apply and enforce the provisions of the bill under the California Safe Drinking Water Act and would make a violation of those provisions a violation for purposes of the act. Because knowingly making a false statement or representation in the notice required pursuant to the above-described provisions would be a crime, and a violation of 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 would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program by expanding the scope of a crime. 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.