Water supply service area plans for public water systems. (FE)

Current law requires a plan to include identification of procedures for implementing and enforcing the plan and a commitment to using those procedures.

The bill eliminates this requirement and requires a plan to identify procedures for implementing and updating the plan.

Under current law, if the area covered by a plan is within an area for which an areawide water quality planning agency has been designated, the agency is responsible for designating the proposed water supply service areas in the plan. The bill eliminates this responsibility but retains current law authority for the agency to provide regional water needs assessments and other regional water supply planning information.

Under current law, DNR may not approve a plan unless the plan meets several criteria, one of which is that the plan is consistent with any applicable approved areawide water quality management plans. The bill eliminates this criterion.

Finally, the bill provides that a plan does not create, establish, or evidence an obligation for any water utility to provide service to the service area delineated or covered in the plan. The bill also prohibits the Public Service Commission from requiring a water utility to extend or provide service to an area on the basis of the provisions of a plan.