H521: 2021 Safe Drinking Water Act. Latest Version

Session: 2021 - 2022

House
Passed 1st Reading
Rules



AN ACT to protect north carolina citizens from harmful toxins in drinking water by requiring the Commission for public health to establish maximum contaminant levels for chemicals that are probable or known carcinogens or are otherwise toxic.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  The Commission for Public Health shall, no later than October 15, 2021:

(1)        Commence rulemaking to establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), as that term is defined under G.S. 130A‑313, for probable or known carcinogens and other toxic chemicals that are likely to pose a substantial hazard to public health. At a minimum, the Commission shall establish MCLs for all of the following contaminants:

a.         Per‑ and poly‑fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

b.         Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

c.         Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).

d.         Hexavalent chromium (chromium‑6).

e.         1,4‑Dioxane.

(2)        Consider establishment of MCLs for any other contaminants for which at least two other states have set MCLs or issued guidance.

SECTION 1.(b)  In the course of establishing MCLs as required by subsection (a) of this section, the Commission shall:

(1)        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 on appropriate MCLs for such contaminants.

(2)        Adopt MCLs protective of public health, including vulnerable subpopulations such as pregnant and nursing mothers, infants, and children, which state MCLs shall not exceed any MCL or health advisory established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

SECTION 2.  The Commission for Public Health shall annually review the latest peer‑reviewed science and independent or government agency studies and undertake additional rulemaking as necessary to establish or revise MCLs for contaminants that are likely to pose a substantial threat to public health.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.