What's happening
This bill authorizes a comprehensive study of New York's water supply safety and infrastructure, with recommendations due in one year.
Why it matters
Aims to modernize water safety monitoring. by identifying advanced technologies and partnerships for automated, statewide testing of public and private water systems for pathogens and contaminants, potentially leading to quicker detection of water quality issues.
Addresses funding challenges for water infrastructure,. including exploring new revenue sources and sustainable funding models—especially for small public water systems—which could help communities upgrade aging infrastructure and improve water safety.
Seeks to encourage both public and private investment. in water infrastructure through recommended measures, which may attract new resources into system upgrades and ongoing maintenance, potentially reducing risks of water main breaks or contamination events.
Promotes efficiency and strategic planning,. such as suggesting consolidation or shared municipal services and calling for a coordinated statewide water safety plan, which could help prioritize critical infrastructure needs and ensure long-term, reliable access to safe water across diverse regions of New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study NY Water Safety
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4466
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 15, 2017
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT in relation to authorizing a study of the safety and condition of New York's water supplies and infrastructure
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of health, in conjunction with the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation, shall examine, evaluate and make recommendations concerning the safety and condition of New York's water supplies and infrastructure. Such study shall include, but be not limited to, the following:
(a) the identification of technologies and partners to assist the state in providing long term, sustainable, and cost effective, automated monitoring of public water supply and private water cooling infrastructure for pathogens and selected contaminants on a statewide basis;
(b) identification of new or existing revenue sources to invest in statewide water handling infrastructure;
(c) identification of sustainable and affordable funding models to assist small public water systems in conducting water testing;
(d) recommendations for measures designed to spur private investment in water infrastructure;
(e) recommendations for a statewide system to assist with the regular assessment of the integrity and safety of municipal systems;
(f) recommendations for measures to spur municipal reinvestment in water infrastructure and safety measures on an ongoing and sustainable basis;
(g) any other such areas of study regarding water safety as the commissioners deem appropriate for study;
(h) measures municipalities may take to consolidate and share services in relation to water infrastructure;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09827-01-7
S. 4466 2
(i) development of a strategic statewide water safety plan which prioritizes infrastructure needs, maintenance, and expansion of existing systems.
§ 2. Within 12 months of the effective date of this act, the commissioners of health and environmental conservation shall submit a report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chair of the senate standing committee on health, the chair of the assembly standing committee on health, the chair of the senate standing committee on environmental conservation, and the chair of the assembly standing committee on environmental conservation, of the commissioner's findings, conclusions, and recommendations for implementation of their findings.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act in relation to authorizing a study of the safety and condition of New York's water supplies and infrastructure
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill directs the commissioner of health, in conjunction with the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation, to conduct a study and make recommendations regarding the safety and condition of New York's water supplies and infrastructure.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends the public health law by adding a new article X that directs the commissioner of health, in conjunction with the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation, to conduct a study and make recommendations regarding the safety and condition of New York's water supplies and infrastructure. The study will include, but is not limited to identifying technology and partners to provide sustainable and cost effective automated monitoring of public water supplies and private water-cooling infrastructures. Also, to identify revenue sources and affordable funding models to assist small public water systems.
The commissioners will also be required to recommend measures to spur public and private reinvestment in water infrastructure. In addition, they must recommend a statewide system to assist with the regular assessment of the safety of municipal systems. The commissioners may also study areas regarding water safety they deem appropriate. They must also allow municipalities to share services. Finally, they must develop a statewide water safety strategy to prioritize infrastructure needs, maintenance, and expansion of existing systems.
Section two of the new article requires, within twelve months of the effective date, a report from the Commissioners to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chair of the senate standing committee on health, the chair of the assembly standing committee on health, the chair of the senate standing committee on environmental conservation, and the chair of the assembly standing committee on environmental conservation, of the commissioners' findings, conclusions, and recommendations for implementation of their findings.
Section three puts the act into effect immediately.
Justification
To adequately address the serious water quality issues riddled throughout the state of New York, we first need to know the magnitude of the problem. Establishing a study to determine the status of the safety conditions of New York's water supplies and infrastructure is the first step. Once DOH and DEC are aware of where the issues lie, they will be able to address any water quality issues. This study will identify the best technologies and partners to provide sustainable monitoring of our public water systems. To avoid the tragic situations like the recent water contamination in Hoosik Falls, NY, the state must be proactive in studying and establishing remedies to our water quality issues.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.