State Water Resources Control Board: Constituents of Emerging Concern in Drinking Water Program.

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. The state board's duties include, but are not limited to, conducting research, studies, and demonstration programs relating to the provision of a dependable and safe supply of drinking water, enforcing the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and adopting and enforcing regulations. This bill would require the state board to build upon its existing work dealing with, and work to improve its knowledge of, constituents of emerging concern (CEC) in waters of the state and drinking water. The bill would require, as part of this work, the deputy director appointed by the state board, to work to improve the knowledge of CECs in drinking water by assessing the state of information, as specified. The bill would authorize the state board to establish, maintain, and direct a dedicated program called the Constituents of Emerging Concern in Drinking Water Program. The bill would authorize the deputy director to convene a Science Advisory Panel for CECs in drinking water with members that are experts in specified fields and would prescribe the duties of the panel. The bill would require the deputy director to post a report to the state board's internet website 3 years after the panel is convened on the work conducted by the panel. The bill would establish in the State Treasury the CEC Action Fund and would authorize moneys in the fund to be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for costs associated with the state board's CEC efforts and implementing and administering the program, as specified. The bill would authorize the state board, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to provide financial assistance to certain community water systems if the state board imposes CEC monitoring requirements. The bill would authorize the state board to take specified actions in connection with the program, including, among others, maintaining a program internet website and making relevant research, reports, and data available to the public. The bill would make implementation of its provisions contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of the bill in the annual Budget Act or another statute.