Environment (Water Quality)

This bill establishes a rapid response program to quickly address new or spreading aquatic invasive plant species in Connecticut waterbodies, primarily affecting state agencies and property owners near affected lakes and ponds. It requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to expedite permits for containment efforts, especially for hydrilla, and allows the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species to coordinate immediate treatment without requiring separate notices to waterfront property owners. The legislation creates an interagency task force to develop response protocols and a statewide management plan, while also mandating that public health officials review permits for treatments near drinking water sources.

This bill requires Connecticut municipalities and their water pollution control authorities to submit annual reports to the Office of Policy and Management detailing current wastewater capacity and any expected excess capacity for the following year. The first report is due by January 1, 2027, and must follow a format specified by the state agency. If a municipality or authority fails to submit the required report, the state may withhold allocated funding for wastewater infrastructure improvements until compliance is achieved. This measure aims to improve state oversight of local wastewater systems without changing overall funding levels available for such projects.

This bill strengthens Connecticut's Sewage Right-to-Know Act by requiring faster reporting and public notification of sewage spills and bypasses. It mandates that sewage treatment plant operators submit electronic reports to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection within two hours of an incident, with details including location, volume, and public health concerns. The bill also requires operators to notify local officials and the public within two hours when a spill may impact people or waterways, and establishes a real-time alert system for residents to receive notifications via text or email. Additionally, the Department must publish annual summaries of sewage spills and enforcement actions on its website.

HB 5390 establishes a $7 million annual fund to support regional planning councils in Connecticut. Starting July 1, 2026, each council formed under Section 4-124j will receive funding based on a population formula, plus a fixed $200,000 to hire housing planning staff and another $200,000 to fund either a stormwater/flood mitigation coordinator or a waste/recycling coordinator position. The bill clarifies that councils may allocate the second $200,000 to fund both coordinator roles if needed. This directly affects regional councils by providing dedicated funding for specific planning and infrastructure roles.

HB 5167 requires laboratories testing private residential wells and semipublic wells (like those serving schools or community centers) to report water quality results to local health authorities and the state Department of Public Health within 30 days of testing. It removes the previous requirement for the Commissioner of Public Health to approve disclosures, allowing direct sharing of results with well owners, adjacent property owners, and prospective buyers who have signed purchase contracts. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all such wells in Connecticut. This change streamlines access to water quality information for affected property owners and buyers without altering confidentiality protections for other uses.