§ 116774.1

(a) Upon the appropriation of funds by the Legislature for this purpose, in accordance with this chapter, the board may provide grants and direct expenditures to address emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities, as described in this chapter, consistent with the federal grant terms.

(b) The board may provide grant funding under this chapter to public water systems that serve small or disadvantaged communities, or both.

(c) The primary purpose of a project or activity funded under this chapter shall be to address one or more emerging contaminants in drinking water or source water.

(d) Moneys appropriated for purposes of this chapter may be used for activities consistent with the federal grant terms, including the following activities:

(1) Activities relating to source water, including, but not limited to, research and investigation to identify the presence, source, or extent of emerging contaminants in a water system, source exploration, and new source development.

(2) Planning and design.

(3) Providing households access to drinking water services.

(4) Public communication, engagement, and education.

(5) Research and testing.

(6) Scoping and identification.

(7) Storage.

(8) Technical assistance.

(9) Testing or sampling for baseline assessment.

(10) Treatment.

(11) Water system restructuring, consolidation, or creation.

(e) The board may implement this chapter through a policy handbook or workplan. The policy handbook or workplan is not subject to the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 72, Sec. 32. (SB 156) Effective July 2, 2024.)