Senator Portantino’s Drinking Water Protection Bill Passes Assembly Committee
For Immediate Release: June 29, 2022
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Portantino’s Drinking Water Protection Bill Passes Assembly Committee
Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 230, an environmental protection measure authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) to improve drinking water by investigating Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs), passed the Assembly Environmental and Toxic Materials Committee. Constituents of Emerging Concern are a diverse group of synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals or microorganisms that are not currently regulated in drinking water.
“SB 230 is designed to improve consumer protection by helping the State Water Board gather information to understand the public health risk of contaminants in drinking water,” stated Senator Portantino. “Garnering this information would help the State Water Board make informed, science-based decisions about how to implement best environmental practices and strategies.”
In recent years, scientists have discovered new ways to detect CECs in very small amounts. Given this capability, researchers will continue to detect new, unregulated CECs that could include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, or industrial chemicals in trace amounts. SB 230 requires the State Water Board to establish and maintain a dedicated program for CECs to proactively improve the understanding of their occurrence and public health significance in drinking water sources. In addition, the State Board could create a Science Advisory Panel for a period of three years to gather and develop information for the program and provide a report to the Legislature on the work of the panel by June 1, 2026. The bill requires the program to provide opportunities for public participation through periodic stakeholder meetings and workshops. After five years, the state board would decide whether to sunset or continue the program.
Senate Bill 230 builds on Senator Portantino’s strong record of protecting our water supply. Previously, he authored legislation to require the study of micro plastics in drinking water and to task the Ocean Protection Counsel to develop strategies to preserve and protect our precious ocean resources.
“As public concern grows about the potential health risks of CECs in drinking water, SB 230 will help build a comprehensive body of knowledge regarding their occurrence and threats to public health, allowing regulators to prioritize action on the most critical CECs,” Metropolitan Water District General Manager Adel Hagekhalil said. “I am grateful to Senator Portantino and the committee today for their action on this legislation.”
SB 230 would also establish in the State Treasury the CEC Action Fund, which upon appropriation would be administered by the State Water Board. Monies in the fund could be used to establish and maintain the panel, collect occurrence data, develop standardized analytical methods to detect CECs, and support research to fill information gaps. In addition, the bill authorizes the Board, upon appropriation to provide financial assistance to certain public water systems upon a showing that the costs of testing drinking water in compliance with this act would impose a financial hardship, with eligibility preference given to public water systems serving fewer than 10,000 individuals.
“SB 230 builds upon the good work already being done by the State Water Board with an additional focus on CECs in drinking water. We appreciate Senator Portantino championing this bill, which will lead to more information about the public health risk and occurrence of CECs in drinking water and is a meaningful step forward to help ensure the safety of our water supply,” stated Danielle Blacet-Hyden, Deputy Executive Director of the California Municipal Utilities Association.
Metropolitan Water District and California Municipal Utilities Association are sponsors of SB 230.
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