Environment (Drinking Water)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 660: An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for definitions, for well reporting requirements and for hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure requirements.

Senate Bill 660 amends Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas law, specifically updating requirements for well reporting and chemical disclosure related to hydraulic fracturing. The bill requires operators to include a declaration that chemical products used in hydraulic fracturing contain no intentionally added PFAS chemicals in their stimulation records. It also clarifies and expands the responsibilities of manufacturers, service providers, and operators regarding chemical disclosures, even when trade secrets are involved. Additionally, it updates the process for health professionals to access chemical information during medical emergencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires operators to declare no intentionally added PFAS chemicals in fracking fluids, preventing introduction of persistent environmental contaminants into water resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1139: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of General Services and its departmental administrative and advisory boards and commissions, providing for water bottle filling stations.

HB 1139 requires Pennsylvania state buildings to install water bottle filling stations in specific locations. New state buildings must include them where drinking fountains are required, and existing buildings undergoing major plumbing renovations must add them where drinking fountains were previously required. Stations must meet technical standards (e.g., minimum 8-gallon-per-hour flow at ≤50°F, not accessible to mouths, not in restrooms) and comply with plumbing codes. The bill aims to encourage reusable bottle use, reduce single-use plastic waste, and provide cost-effective, environmentally friendly water access for state building visitors and staff.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires water bottle filling stations to reduce single-use plastic bottle waste, aligning with environmental conservation goals by decreasing plastic pollution and promoting reusable alternatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 1261: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies and providing for protection against PFAS chemicals and for firefighting protective equipment; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants; and imposing penalties.

HB 1261 bans PFAS chemicals (harmful substances linked to health risks) in firefighting protective gear, requiring safer alternatives for all new equipment. It creates grant programs to help fire companies replace PFAS-containing gear and mandates that state-funded equipment purchases must be PFAS-free. The bill also imposes penalties on entities failing to comply with the PFAS restrictions. These changes directly protect firefighters and guide fire companies' equipment procurement under Pennsylvania law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals (toxic pollutants) in firefighting gear, mandates PFAS-free equipment purchases, and creates grants for replacement, directly reducing environmental contamination and protecting public health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear to protect firefighters' health, directly advancing public health safety for medical professionals through equipment restrictions and grant programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans PFAS in firefighting gear, mandating safer equipment for firefighters, directly improving workplace safety for a specific labor group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1845: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, further providing for definitions and for public nuisances.

HB 1845 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to update definitions related to water quality standards and address public nuisances involving drinking water. This bill would directly affect water suppliers, public health agencies, and communities by clarifying legal terms and procedures for handling unsafe water conditions. Key provisions include revising terminology to better align with current regulatory needs and establishing clearer pathways for addressing public nuisances, such as contaminated water sources. However, the specific details of these changes are not provided in the available context, so the exact scope and impact cannot be fully described. The bill has been referred to the Health committee for further consideration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends Safe Drinking Water Act to clarify definitions and procedures for addressing unsafe water conditions, strengthening regulatory enforcement for public health and environmental protection.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 684: An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for notification to public drinking water systems.

SB 684 amends Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas statutes to update provisions for notifying public and private drinking water systems about spills. The bill requires the Department to investigate spills upon receiving notification. After investigating, the Department must notify any public drinking water facility or private well owner that could be affected by the event. This notification must include a brief description of the spill and any expected impact on water quality.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates notification of water systems after spills, requiring investigation and impact disclosure to protect water quality, aligning with environmental protection indicators.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 574: An Act amending the act of October 18, 1988 (P.L.756, No.108), known as the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions and providing for disaster emergency declaration and for testing requirement, duty to report and public access; in powers and duties, further providing for powers and duties of department; and, in liability and settlement procedures, further providing for responsible person.

HB 574 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to update definitions and establish emergency water protections. It specifically adds PFAS chemicals (like PFOA and PFOS) to the definition of "hazardous substance" and creates a new designation for "special drinking water resource-impacted communities" when groundwater or surface water exceeds 10 parts per trillion of PFAS over a 12-month average or contains other pollutants threatening public water supplies. The bill grants the Governor authority to declare such communities and set immediate emergency water standards and cleanup requirements without waiting for full site remediation. This directly affects municipalities with contaminated water sources, particularly those dealing with PFAS contamination requiring urgent public health responses. The changes aim to streamline emergency actions for communities facing immediate drinking water risks from hazardous substances.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds PFAS to hazardous substances definition and creates water protections for communities exceeding 10 ppt PFAS, strengthening pollution control under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Hazardous Materials Natural Disasters

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 759: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, providing for certified point-of-use filter required; establishing the Safe Schools Drinking Water Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection.

SB 759 requires all Pennsylvania public school buildings to install certified point-of-use filters on drinking water outlets by January 1, 2027, replacing older fountains without lead-reducing filters at a rate of at least one per 100 students/staff. It creates the Safe Schools Drinking Water Fund, providing up to $10 million annually for three years to help schools cover installation and replacement costs, with priority for pre-2014 buildings and those serving prekindergarten students. Schools must maintain filter schedules, post lead-risk information online, and report progress to state agencies, while new outlets must meet strict lead-leaching standards. The bill directly affects all public K-12 school entities in Pennsylvania, aiming to reduce lead exposure in drinking water.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $10M/year fund for school water filters, requiring infrastructure upgrades in K-12 facilities to ensure safe drinking water, directly supporting school safety and infrastructure needs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates lead-reducing filters for school drinking water to prevent lead pollution, creating a fund for implementation. Directly addresses water pollution control under environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Drinking Water

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 708: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, further providing for powers and duties of department.

HB 708 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to clarify the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) authority in enforcing drinking water standards. The bill requires the DEP to establish a permit program for new or substantially modified public water systems, ensuring these systems meet federal drinking water standards in both design and operation. It also specifies that the DEP can require public water systems to provide monitoring data and allows for delegation of enforcement duties to local health departments under DEP oversight. These changes directly affect the DEP, public water systems, and local health departments by defining clearer enforcement procedures for drinking water safety.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends Safe Drinking Water Act to strengthen DEP enforcement of federal standards, requiring permits and monitoring for public water systems to ensure compliance with environmental protection requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 578: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, providing for maximum contaminant levels.

HB 578 sets a new maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per trillion for specific PFAS chemicals (including PFOA and PFOS) in public drinking water systems across Pennsylvania. This directly affects municipal water providers and the residents who rely on tap water, requiring them to meet this stricter standard. The bill establishes this limit unless federal or state agencies set a higher standard, in which case those standards would take precedence. Water systems must comply with this level, and the Department of Environmental Protection must publish any federal/state standards in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSets stricter PFAS limits (10 ppb) in drinking water, directly strengthening pollution control and environmental protection under the Safe Drinking Water Act.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets stricter PFAS limits in drinking water to prevent health risks, directly protecting public health as a healthcare-related measure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 1116: An Act providing for duty of Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study on PFAS chemicals in biosolids.

HB 1116 (Study of PFAS Chemicals in Biosolids Act) requires Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection to study PFAS chemicals (a group of persistent industrial chemicals) in biosolids used on farmland. The study must test PFAS levels in biosolids and soil/water near treated fields compared to untreated areas, analyze contamination pathways to food (including crops, livestock, and milk), and evaluate testing/treatment methods. The Department must coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and other agencies and submit a report to relevant legislative committees within 180 days. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania farmers applying biosolids to fields, food safety systems, and state environmental monitoring practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates study of PFAS in biosolids to assess environmental contamination pathways, advancing environmental protection efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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