§ 116596

(a) The state board shall require a public water system that has experienced a wildfire event of 300 acres or more, if the event damaged or destroyed a structure or structures connected to the public water system’s water distribution system, to perform sample collection and analysis of its source waters, treatment facilities, conveyance facilities, distribution systems, or a combination thereof, for the presence of benzene as soon as it is safe to do so.

(b) If a public water system conducts sampling and finds detectable concentrations of benzene, the state board may require a public water system response, including all the following:

(1) A requirement that investigation and additional testing be completed in consultation with, or at the direction of, the state board.

(2) Timelines for investigation and additional testing.

(3) Additional testing frequency and duration.

(4) Additional testing locations, such as specific locations within a distribution system.

(5) Flushing prior to confirmed detections of contamination.

(6) Requirements to provide notice to affected customers upon a finding of contamination, including the form and content of the notices and when the notice shall be provided.

(7) Remediation measures if contamination is found in the source waters, treatment facilities, conveyance facilities, distribution systems, or a combination thereof, such as taking sources offline, flushing within the distribution system, repairs, and replacements.

(c) For purposes of this section, “wildfire” has the same meaning as defined in Section 51177 of the Government Code.

(d) This section does not limit the state board’s authority under any other law.

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 530, Sec. 2. (AB 541) Effective January 1, 2024.)