Environment (Drinking Water)

New Jersey's S 2266 bans the use of regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in menstrual products sold within the state. The bill defines menstrual products broadly to include tampons, pads, cups, and underwear (both disposable and reusable), and prohibits manufacturers from selling products containing intentionally added PFAS or PFAS above trace levels. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a testing system using approved labs, with results shared with the Department of Health, and violations would trigger penalties under the Consumer Fraud Act. This policy directly affects manufacturers distributing menstrual products in New Jersey, aiming to eliminate specific chemicals from these products.

This bill (S 1224) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study feasible alternative drinking water sources when PFAS chemicals exceed safety limits. The DEP must evaluate existing water supplies, identify potential alternatives for public community water systems, and gather input from water providers, experts, and the public. Within one year of enactment, the DEP must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, with the bill expiring 30 days after the report is filed. This study directly affects public water systems and their customers in areas with PFAS contamination.

S 1203 requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create online systems for schools and child care centers to electronically submit lead testing results for drinking water. Schools and child care centers already required to test for lead (since 2016 for schools, 2017 for child care) must submit their results via these systems within 90 days of the systems' launch, with all data made publicly searchable online. The bill also mandates that DOE and DCF jointly prepare a report within two years detailing lead contamination levels, remediation needs, and state assistance recommendations. This bill directly affects schools and child care centers that conduct lead testing, aiming to improve transparency and inform remediation efforts.

This bill requires owners or operators of public community water systems in New Jersey to test for Legionella bacteria in drinking water. Specifically, they must test a random sample of 0.1% of service lines quarterly and 1% of water system facilities (like treatment plants and storage tanks) monthly. Test results must be reported to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and if contamination exceeds DEP-established standards, the system must notify customers and remediate within 30 days (with full resolution required within six months). Violations would be enforced under the state's Safe Drinking Water Act, potentially resulting in civil penalties.