SB3450 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 37702 CES 67829 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3450

Introduced 2/8/2024, by Sen. Mike Simmons

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Safe Public Drinking Water Act. Provides that, as soon as practicable after the effective date of the Act, the Department of Public Health shall propose, and the Illinois Pollution Control Board shall adopt, amendments to the Board rules that establish primary drinking water standards (35 Ill. Adm. Part 611) in order to implement a State-only MCL for carcinogens and toxic chemicals that are likely to pose a substantial health hazard to residents of the State. Requires the rules adopted by the Board to establish: (1) a State-Only MCL for perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances in public drinking water systems; (2) a State-Only MCL for hexavalent chromium in public drinking water systems; (3) a State-Only MCL for 1,4 dioxane in public drinking water systems; and (4) a directive for the Department to propose implementing a State-Only MCL for any other pollutants in public drinking water systems when 2 or more other states have set limits or issued guidance on a given pollutant. Directs the Department to review: (i) maximum contaminant levels adopted by other states; (ii) studies and scientific evidence reviewed by those states; (iii) material in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; and (iv) the latest peer-reviewed science and independent or government agency studies. Provides that the Department shall annually review the latest peer-reviewed science and independent or government studies.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Safe Public Drinking Water Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Board" means the Pollution Control Board established by the Environmental Protection Act.

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

"MCL" as used in this Act means maximum contaminant level, or the legal threshold limit on the amount of a substance that is allowed in public water systems.

Section 10. Purpose. It is the goal of the State of Illinois to protect residents from harmful toxins in drinking water. Accordingly, this Act directs the Department to propose, and the Board to adopt, rules establishing State-level MCLs for likely or known carcinogens found in public drinking water systems.

Section 15. Maximum contaminant levels; rulemaking.

(a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Department shall propose, and the Board shall adopt, amendments to the Board rules that establish primary drinking water standards (35 Ill. Adm. Part 611) for the purpose of implementing a State-only MCL for carcinogens and toxic chemicals that are likely to pose a substantial health hazard to residents of the State.

(b) At a minimum, the rules adopted by the Board under this Section shall establish:

(1) a State-Only MCL for perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances in public drinking water systems;

(2) a State-Only MCL for hexavalent chromium in public drinking water systems;

(3) a State-Only MCL for 1,4 dioxane in public drinking water systems; and

(4) a directive for the Department to propose implementing a State-Only MCL for any other pollutants in public drinking water systems when 2 or more other states have set limits or issued guidance on a given pollutant.

(c) In proceedings under subsections (b) and (c), the Department and the Board shall review MCLs adopted by other states, the studies and scientific evidence reviewed by those states, material in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the latest peer-reviewed science and independent or government agency studies, and shall adopt an MCL that is protective of public health, including vulnerable subpopulations, such as pregnant and nursing mothers, infants, and children, that provides at least as much protection to such populations as any MCL or health advisory promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Department and the Board shall annually review the latest peer reviewed science and independent or government agency studies and undertake additional rulemaking if needed to comply with this paragraph.