An Act to improve the review and regulation of emerging contaminants on public water systems

This bill creates a new Science Advisory Board to help Massachusetts regulate emerging contaminants in public drinking water systems. The board will consist of 13 members appointed by the Governor, including representatives from state agencies, water utilities, and various health and environmental organizations. To regulate a new substance, both the board and the state Department of Environmental Protection must agree that the contaminant poses a health risk and that reducing it is feasible. The board is required to base its decisions on peer-reviewed scientific studies and must provide a detailed analysis explaining which studies it considered and why.