HB5044 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 20106 MJP 35389 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB5044

Introduced , by Rep. Michael D. Unes

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall by rule establish a comprehensive low-income water assistance policy and program. Contains various provisions concerning the policy and program. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Adds requirements related to billing statements and reconnection of service for water and sewer utilities. Provides that upon request by a water utility, the Illinois Commerce Commission may allow, but may not require, a water utility to establish a customer assistance program. Provides that an entity subject to certain federal laws that serves or provides water or sewer services to a specified number of people shall conduct a cost of service study every 5 years. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that within one year of the effective date of the amendatory Act, every community water system shall create a plan to remove all known lead service lines within 10 years from the completion of the plan. Requires each community water system to implement an asset management plan designed to inspect, maintain, repair, and renew its infrastructure within 18 months of the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules for lead replacement that require an expedited timeline for high risk facilities and communities within 18 months of the effective date of the amendatory Act. Creates the Statewide Advisory Council on Lead in Drinking Water and requires specified community water supplies to create water system advisory councils tasked with various duties related to lead in drinking water awareness. Makes other changes.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 605-870 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-870 new)

Sec. 605-870. Low-Income Water Assistance Program.

(a) The Department shall by rule establish a comprehensive low-income water assistance policy and program that incorporates financial assistance and includes, but is not limited to, water efficiency or water quality projects, or other measures to ensure that residents have access to affordable and clean water. The policy and program shall not jeopardize the ability of public utilities and other entities to receive just compensation for providing services. The resources applied in achieving the policy and program shall be coordinated and efficiently used through the integration of public programs and through the targeting of assistance. The Department shall use all appropriate and available means to fund this program and, to the extent possible, identify and use sources of funding that complement State tax revenues.

(b) The program shall be eligible to any person who is a resident of the State and whose household income is not greater than an amount determined annually by the Department may apply for assistance under this Section in accordance with rules adopted by the Department. In setting the annual eligibility level, the Department shall consider the amount of available funding and may not set a limit higher than 150% of the federal nonfarm poverty level as established by the federal Office of Management and Budget.

(c) Applicants who qualify for assistance under subsection (b) shall, subject to appropriation from the General Assembly and subject to availability of funds to the Department, receive assistance as provided by this Section. The Department, upon receipt of moneys authorized under this Section for assistance, shall commit funds for each qualified applicant in an amount determined by the Department. In determining the amounts of assistance to be provided to or on behalf of a qualified applicant, the Department shall ensure that the highest amounts of assistance go to households with the greatest water costs in relation to household income. The Department shall include factors such as water costs, household size, household income, and region of the State when determining individual household benefits. In adopting rules for the administration of this Section the Department shall assure that a minimum of 1/3 of funds available for benefits to eligible households with the lowest incomes and that elderly households, households with persons with disabilities, and households with children under 6 years of age are offered a priority application period.

(d) Application materials for the program shall be made available in multiple languages.

(e) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the policy and program under this Section.

Section 10. The Public Utilities Act is amended by changing Section 8-306 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/8-306)

Sec. 8-306. Special provisions relating to water and sewer utilities.

(a) No later than 120 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, the Commission shall prepare, make available to customers upon request, and post on its Internet web site information concerning the service obligations of water and sewer utilities and remedies that a customer may pursue for a violation of the customer's rights. The information shall specifically address the rights of a customer of a water or sewer utility in the following situations:

(1) The customer's water meter is replaced.

(2) The customer's bill increases by more than 50% within one billing period.

(3) The customer's water service is terminated.

(4) The customer wishes to complain after receiving a termination of service notice.

(5) The customer is unable to make payment on a billing statement.

(6) A rate is filed, including without limitation a surcharge or annual reconciliation filing, that will increase the amount billed to the customer.

(7) The customer is billed for services provided prior to the date covered by the billing statement.

(8) The customer is due to receive a credit.

Each billing statement issued by a water or sewer utility shall include an Internet web site address where the customer can view the information required under this subsection (a) and a telephone number that the customer may call to request a copy of the information.

(a-5) Each billing statement issued by a water or sewer utility shall include:

(1) all fixed charges;

(2) all volumetric charges; and

(3) the total number of gallons used since the last billing period.

If a bill is not calculated based upon volumetric use, then the method for calculating the bill must be described on the bill.

(b) A water or sewer utility may discontinue service only after it has mailed or delivered by other means a written notice of discontinuance substantially in the form of Appendix A of 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280. The notice must include the Internet web site address where the customer can view the information required under subsection (a) and a telephone number that the customer may call to request a copy of the information. Any notice required to be delivered or mailed to a customer prior to discontinuance of service shall be delivered or mailed separately from any bill. Service shall not be discontinued until at least 5 days after delivery or 8 days after the mailing of this notice. Service shall not be discontinued and shall be restored if discontinued for the reason which is the subject of a dispute or complaint during the pendency of informal or formal complaint procedures of the Illinois Commerce Commission under 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.160 or 280.170, where the customer has complied with those rules. Service shall not be discontinued and shall be restored if discontinued where a customer has established a deferred payment agreement pursuant to 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.110 and has not defaulted on such agreement. Residential customers who are indebted to a utility for past due utility service shall have the opportunity to make arrangements with the utility to retire the debt by periodic payments, referred to as a deferred payment agreement, unless this customer has failed to make payment under such a plan during the past 12 months. The terms and conditions of a reasonable deferred payment agreement shall be determined by the utility after consideration of the following factors, based upon information available from current utility records or provided by the customer or applicant:

(1) size of the past due account;

(2) customer or applicant's ability to pay;

(3) customer or applicant's payment history;

(4) reason for the outstanding indebtedness; and

(5) any other relevant factors relating to the circumstances of the customer or applicant's service.

A residential customer shall pay a maximum of one-fourth of the amount past due and owing at the time of entering into the deferred payment agreement, and the water or sewer utility shall allow a minimum of 2 months from the date of the agreement and a maximum of 12 months for payment to be made under a deferred payment agreement. Late payment charges may be assessed against the amount owing that is the subject of a deferred payment agreement.

(b-5) A water or sewer utility may not charge more than $50 for reconnecting service.

(c) A water or sewer utility shall provide notice as required by subsection (a) of Section 9-201 after the filing of each information sheet under a purchased water surcharge, purchased sewage treatment surcharge, or qualifying infrastructure plant surcharge. The utility also shall post notice of the filing in accordance with the requirements of 83 Ill. Adm. Code 255. Unless filed as part of a general rate increase, notice of the filing of a purchased water surcharge rider, purchased sewage treatment surcharge rider, or qualifying infrastructure plant surcharge rider also shall be given in the manner required by this subsection (c) for the filing of information sheets.

(d) Commission rules pertaining to formal and informal complaints against public utilities shall apply with full and equal force to water and sewer utilities and their customers, including provisions of 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.170, and the Commission shall respond to each complaint by providing the consumer with a copy of the utility's response to the complaint and a copy of the Commission's review of the complaint and its findings. The Commission shall also provide the consumer with all available options for recourse.

(e) Any refund shown on the billing statement of a customer of a water or sewer utility must be itemized and must state if the refund is an adjustment or credit.

(f) Water service for building construction purposes. At the request of any municipality or township within the service area of a public utility that provides water service to customers within the municipality or township, a public utility must (1) require all water service used for building construction purposes to be measured by meter and subject to approved rates and charges for metered water service and (2) prohibit the unauthorized use of water taken from hydrants or service lines installed at construction sites.

(g) Water meters.

(1) Periodic testing. Unless otherwise approved by the Commission, each service water meter shall be periodically inspected and tested in accordance with the schedule specified in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 600.340, or more frequently as the results may warrant, to insure that the meter accuracy is maintained within the limits set out in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 600.310.

(2) Meter tests requested by customer.

(A) Each utility furnishing metered water service shall, without charge, test the accuracy of any meter upon request by the customer served by such meter, provided that the meter in question has not been tested by the utility or by the Commission within 2 years previous to such request. The customer or his or her representatives shall have the privilege of witnessing the test at the option of the customer. A written report, giving the results of the test, shall be made to the customer.

(B) When a meter that has been in service less than 2 years since its last test is found to be accurate within the limits specified in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 600.310, the customer shall pay a fee to the utility not to exceed the amounts specified in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 600.350(b). Fees for testing meters not included in this Section or so located that the cost will be out of proportion to the fee specified will be determined by the Commission upon receipt of a complete description of the case.

(3) Commission referee tests. Upon written application to the Commission by any customer, a test will be made of the customer's meter by a representative of the Commission. For such a test, a fee as provided for in subsection (g)(2) shall accompany the application. If the meter is found to be registering more than 1.5% fast on the average when tested as prescribed in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 600.310, the utility shall refund to the customer the amount of the fee. The utility shall in no way disturb the meter after a customer has made an application for a referee test until authority to do so is given by the Commission or the customer in writing.

(h) Water and sewer utilities; low usage. Each public utility that provides water and sewer service must establish a unit sewer rate, subject to review by the Commission, that applies only to those customers who use less than 1,000 gallons of water in any billing period.

(i) Water and sewer utilities; separate meters. Each public utility that provides water and sewer service must offer separate rates for water and sewer service to any commercial or residential customer who uses separate meters to measure each of those services. In order for the separate rate to apply, a combination of meters must be used to measure the amount of water that reaches the sewer system and the amount of water that does not reach the sewer system.

(j) Each water or sewer public utility must disclose on each billing statement any amount billed that is for service provided prior to the date covered by the billing statement. The disclosure must include the dates for which the prior service is being billed. Each billing statement that includes an amount billed for service provided prior to the date covered by the billing statement must disclose the dates for which that amount is billed and must include a copy of the document created under subsection (a) and a statement of current Commission rules concerning unbilled or misbilled service.

(k) When the customer is due a refund resulting from payment of an overcharge, the utility shall credit the customer in the amount of overpayment with interest from the date of overpayment by the customer. The rate for interest shall be at the appropriate rate determined by the Commission under 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.70.

(l) Water and sewer public utilities; subcontractors. The Commission shall adopt rules for water and sewer public utilities to provide notice to the customers of the proper kind of identification that a subcontractor must present to the customer, to prohibit a subcontractor from soliciting or receiving payment of any kind for any service provided by the water or sewer public utility or the subcontractor, and to establish sanctions for violations.

(m) Water and sewer public utilities; unaccounted-for water. By December 31, 2006, each water public utility shall file tariffs with the Commission to establish the maximum percentage of unaccounted-for water that would be considered in the determination of any rates or surcharges. The rates or surcharges approved for a water public utility shall not include charges for unaccounted-for water in excess of this maximum percentage without well-documented support and justification for the Commission to consider in any request to recover charges in excess of the tariffed maximum percentage.

(n) Rate increases; public forums. When any public utility providing water or sewer service proposes a general rate increase, in addition to other notice requirements, the water or sewer public utility must notify its customers of their right to request a public forum. A customer or group of customers must make written request to the Commission for a public forum and must also provide written notification of the request to the customer's municipal or, for unincorporated areas, township government. The Commission, at its discretion, may schedule the public forum. If it is determined that public forums are required for multiple municipalities or townships, the Commission shall schedule these public forums, in locations within approximately 45 minutes drive time of the municipalities or townships for which the public forums have been scheduled. The public utility must provide advance notice of 30 days for each public forum to the governing bodies of those units of local government affected by the increase. The day of each public forum shall be selected so as to encourage the greatest public participation. Each public forum will begin at 7:00 p.m. Reports and comments made during or as a result of each public forum must be made available to the hearing officials and reviewed when drafting a recommended or tentative decision, finding or order pursuant to Section 10-111 of this Act.

(o) Upon request by a water utility, the Commission may allow, but may not require, a water utility to establish a customer assistance program that:

(1) uses State or federal infrastructure funds; or

(2) provides financial relief to residential customers who qualify for income-related assistance.

A customer assistance program established under this subsection that affects rates and charges for service is not discriminatory for purposes of this Act or any other law regulating rates and charges for service. In considering whether to approve a water utility's proposed customer assistance program, the Commission shall determine that a customer assistance program established under this subsection is in the public interest.

The Commission shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. These rules shall require customer assistance programs under this subsection to coordinate with utility energy efficiency programs and the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program for the purpose of informing eligible customers of additional resources that may help the customer conserve water.

(p) An entity subject to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the federal Clean Water Act that serves or provides water or sewer services to a population of more than 2,000 but less than 1,000,000 shall conduct a cost of service study every 5 years. The study shall include all revenue recovered from water or sewer bills, and the percentage of the cost of service used for water or sewer capital investment. The study shall be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency and published on the Agency's website.

(Source: P.A. 94-950, eff. 6-27-06.)

Section 15. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by changing Section 17.11 and by adding Section 17.12 as follows:

(415 ILCS 5/17.11)

Sec. 17.11. Lead in drinking water notifications and inventories.

(a) The purpose of this Section is to require the owners and operators of community water systems to (i) create a comprehensive lead service line inventory; and (ii) provide notice to occupants of potentially affected residences of construction or repair work on water mains, lead service lines, or water meters.

(b) For the purposes of this Section:

"Community water system" has the meaning provided in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 611.101.

"Potentially affected residence" means any residence where water service is or may be temporarily interrupted or shut off by or on behalf of an owner or operator of a community water system because construction or repair work is to be performed by or on behalf of the owner or operator of a community water system on or affecting a water main, service line, or water meter.

"Small system" has the meaning provided in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 611.350.

(c) The owner or operator of each community water system in the State shall develop a water distribution system material inventory that shall be submitted in written or electronic form to the Agency on an annual basis commencing on April 15, 2018 and continuing on each April 15 thereafter until the water distribution system material inventory is completed. In addition to meeting the requirements for water distribution system material inventories that are mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, each water distribution system material inventory shall identify:

(1) the total number of service lines within or connected to the distribution system, including privately owned service lines;

(2) the number of all known lead service lines within or connected to the distribution system, including privately owned lead service lines; and

(3) the number of the lead service lines that were added to the inventory after the previous year's submission.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require that service lines be unearthed.

(d) Beginning on January 1, 2018, when conducting routine inspections of community water systems as required under this Act, the Agency may conduct a separate audit to identify progress that the community water system has made toward completing the water distribution system material inventories required under subsection (c) of this Section.

(e) The owner or operator of the community water system shall provide notice of construction or repair work on a water main service line, or water meter in accordance with the following requirements:

(1) At least 14 days prior to beginning planned work to repair or replace any water mains or lead service lines, the owner or operator of a community water system shall notify, through an individual written notice, each potentially affected residence of the planned work. In cases where a community water system must perform construction or repair work on an emergency basis or where such work is not scheduled at least 14 days prior to work taking place, the community water system shall notify each potentially affected residence as soon as reasonably possible. When work is to repair or replace a water meter, the notification shall be provided at the time the work is initiated.

(2) Such notification shall include, at a minimum:

(A) a warning that the work may result in sediment, possibly containing lead, in the residence's water supply; and

(B) information concerning best practices for preventing the consumption of any lead in drinking water, including a recommendation to flush water lines during and after the completion of the repair or replacement work and to clean faucet aerator screens; and

(C) information regarding the dangers of lead in young children.

(3) To the extent that the owner or operator of a community water system serves a significant proportion of non-English speaking consumers, the notification must contain information in the appropriate languages regarding the importance of the notice, and it must contain a telephone number or address where a person served may contact the owner or operator of the community water system to obtain a translated copy of the notification or to request assistance in the appropriate language.

(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section, to the extent that (a) notification is required for the entire community served by a community water system, (b) notification is required for construction or repairs occurring on an emergency basis, or (c) the community water system is a small system, publication notification, through a local media, social media or other similar means, may be utilized in lieu of an individual written notification.

(5) If an owner or operator is required to provide an individual written notification to a residence that is a multidwelling building, posting a written notification on the primary entrance way to the building shall be sufficient.

(6) The notification requirements in this subsection (e) do not apply to work performed on water mains that are used to transmit treated water between community water systems and have no service connections.

(7) The owner or operator of a community water system may seek a full or partial waiver of the requirements of this subsection from the Agency if (i) the community water system was originally constructed without lead, (ii) the residential structures were constructed under local building codes that categorically prohibited lead construction materials or the owner or operator of a community water system certifies that any residential structures requiring notification were constructed without lead, and (iii) no lead sediment is likely to be present within the community water system or residential structures. The owner or operator of a community water system may seek a time-limited or permanent waiver.

(8) The owner and operator of a community water system shall not be required to comply with this subsection (e) to the extent that the corresponding water distribution system material inventory has been completed that demonstrates the water distribution system does not contain any lead.

(f) Within one year of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, every community water system in Illinois shall create a plan to remove all known lead service lines, both publicly owned and privately owned, within 10 years from the completion of the plan. The plan shall be updated and submitted to the Agency within 6 months of completion of the inventory submitted under subsection (i). The plan shall include:

(1) an engineering study;

(2) estimated costs;

(3) a financing plan;

(4) a feasibility and affordability plan;

(5) a plan for prioritizing high risk areas;

(6) a proposed schedule for replacements that includes annual benchmarks; and

(7) measures to encourage diversity in hiring in the workforce required to implement the plan, if feasible.

In years subsequent to the submittal of the community water system's plan, on a yearly basis, the community water system shall submit to the Agency a report on the progress it has made on its plan and meeting its replacement obligation. The report shall certify that the community water system is meeting its benchmarks to remove all lead service lines within 10 years. If the community water system has not met a benchmark, then it shall include in its report the reason why it failed to meet the benchmark, and its plan to meet future benchmarks.

Both the original plan and all subsequent annual reports shall be published on the Agency's website, distributed to customers, and available in multiple languages. The Agency shall develop a standardized, electronic form for the plan and reports. The Agency may charge a reasonable filing fee for the plan and reports.

Each system shall achieve a minimum annual target for replacement of 5% of inventoried lines. Partial replacement of lead service lines is prohibited. Replacement shall be made with copper lines or other lines deemed acceptable for public health by the Department of Public Health.

(g) In an effort to reduce water loss due to aging infrastructure and reduce associated cost burdens on water providers, municipalities, and consumers, beginning no later than 18 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, each community water system shall implement an asset management plan designed to inspect, maintain, repair, and renew its infrastructure consistent with standards established by the American Water Works Association. The asset management plan shall include:

(1) a water main renewal program designed to achieve a 150-year replacement cycle or another appropriate replacement cycle as determined by a detailed engineering analysis of the asset condition and estimated service lives of the water mains serving the public water system;

(2) a water supply and treatment program designed to inspect, maintain, repair, renew, and upgrade wells, intakes, pumps, and treatment facilities in accordance with all federal and State regulations, standards established by the American Water Works Association; and

(3) any other programs, plans, or provisions as may be required by the Agency under existing rules.

Each community water system shall dedicate funds on an annual basis to address and remediate the highest priority projects as determined by its asset management plan and the rules adopted under subsection (j).

All asset management plans and system condition reports shall be certified by the licensed operator in charge or professional engineer of the community water system and the responsible corporate officer of the community water system, if privately held; executive director, if an authority; or mayor or chief executive officer of the municipality, if municipally owned; as applicable. The replacement cycle shall be determined by dividing the miles of water main located in the community water system by 150 or other appropriate demonstration set forth in the certified asset management plan prepared in accordance with this subsection.

(h) At least once every 3 years, each community water system shall provide to the Agency a report based on its asset management plan prepared in accordance with subsection (g) identifying the infrastructure improvements to be undertaken in the coming 3 years and the cost of those improvements, as well as identifying the infrastructure improvements completed in the past 3 years and the cost of those improvements.

The Agency shall create a publicly accessible centralized portal allowing for electronic submittal of the report required under this subsection. The lack of a centralized portal shall not negate the requirement for a community water system to submit a report.

(i) The Agency shall adopt rules within 18 months that require each community water system to complete an inventory within 4 years of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. The rules shall concern matters including:

(1) what aspects of a community water system must be included in the inventory, for example, parts and materials;

(2) what community water systems must comply;

(3) how to handle denial of access by a homeowner;

(4) lead notification provided to a homeowner once lead is identified and how to handle when a community water system can not tell what a material is;

(5) inclusion of inventory information in a consumer confidence report; and

(6) that the information must be available online and, where feasible, in the form of an address-searchable map.

(j) Within 12 months of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules for lead replacement that require an expedited timeline for high risk facilities and communities. Factors that the Department shall consider in determining high risk prioritization shall include public school water lead testing data, recent blood lead level community testing, and the median age of homes and buildings within a designated area.

Facilities that may be included in high risk prioritization include public and private schools or school board facilities, public and private hospitals and medical clinics, community centers, adult foster care facilities, child daycare facilities, mental health facilities, human services facilities, transitional housing facilities, and churches.

(Source: P.A. 99-922, eff. 1-17-17.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.12 new)

Sec. 17.12. Statewide Advisory Council on Lead in Drinking Water.

(a) As used in this Section, "Statewide Council" means the Statewide Advisory Council on Lead in Drinking Water.

(b) The Statewide Advisory Council on Lead in Drinking Water is created. The Statewide Council shall do the following:

(1) develop plans for continuing public awareness about lead in drinking water;

(2) in consultation with the Agency and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, generate public awareness campaign materials about lead to be distributed by community water supplies in multiple languages;

(3) assist in promoting the transparency of data and documents related to lead in drinking water within the State;

(4) advise and consult with water system advisory councils established under subsection (d) on the development of appropriate plans for remediation and public education to be implemented if the lead action level is exceeded;

(5) provide advice, direction, and assistance to individual public water supplies and the water system advisory councils; and

(6) provide information on best practices to encourage diversity in hiring.

(c) The membership of the Statewide Council shall consist of:

(1) one community water supply representative;

(2) one non-community water supply representative;

(3) one representative of a local government;

(4) one medical professional;

(5) one professor of public health at a university in the State;

(6) one representative of an environmental or public health advocacy group;

(7) one public health educator;

(8) two residents of communities significantly impacted by lead exposure generally; and

(9) two members of the general public.

The Governor shall appoint the members of the Statewide Council. To be eligible for appointment to the Statewide Council, an individual shall have a demonstrated interest in or knowledge of lead in drinking water and its effects, as well as a demonstrated record of, or commitment to, working to protect the public from lead in water. Members of the Statewide Council shall serve without compensation.

The members first appointed to the Statewide Council shall be appointed within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. Members of the Statewide Council shall serve for terms of 3 years or until a successor is appointed, whichever is later, except certain initial members may be appointed for shorter terms to achieve a staggering of terms. If a vacancy occurs on the Statewide Council, an appointment for the unexpired term shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment. A member of the Statewide Council may be removed for incompetence, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or any other good cause.

At the first meeting of the Statewide Council, the Statewide Council shall elect from its members a chairperson and other officers as it considers necessary or appropriate. After the first meeting, the council shall meet at least quarterly. A majority of the members of the Statewide Council constitute a quorum for the transaction business at a meeting of the Statewide Council. A majority of the members present and serving are required for official action of the Statewide Council.

The Agency shall provide administrative and other support to the Statewide Council.

(d) Each community water supply that serves a population of 50,000 or more shall create a water system advisory council. A water system advisory council shall consist of at least 5 members, appointed by the community water supply. To be eligible for appointment to the water system advisory council, an individual shall have a demonstrated interest in or knowledge about lead in drinking water and its effects, as well as a demonstrated record of, or commitment to, working to protect the public from lead in water or be an individual who has been significantly impacted by lead exposure. The members first appointed to a water system advisory council shall be appointed within 180 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. Members of a water system advisory council shall serve without compensation.

The business that the water system advisory council may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the water system advisory council and held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. The first meeting of a water system advisory council shall be called by the community water supply. At the first meeting, the water system advisory council shall elect from its members a chairperson and other officers as it consider necessary or appropriate. After the first meeting, the water system advisory council shall meet at least annually.

A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by the water system advisory council in the performance of an official function is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

A water system advisory council shall do the following:

(1) Develop plans for continuing public awareness about lead in drinking water, even when the action level is not exceeded.

(2) Review public awareness campaign materials provided by the Statewide Council to ensure the needs and interests of the community, considering the economic and cultural diversity of its residents, are addressed.

(3) Advise and consult with the community water supply on the development of appropriate plans for remediation and public education to be implemented if a lead action level is exceeded.

(4) Assist in promoting transparency of all data and documents related to lead in drinking water within the community water supply's service area.

(5) Collaborate with local community groups to ensure that residents have the opportunity to be involved in efforts to educate the community about lead in drinking water.

A water system advisory council may independently seek advice, direction, and assistance from the Agency or the Statewide Council.