(a) As used in this section:

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(1) “Bottled water” has the same meaning as defined in section 21a-150;

(2) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Public Health, or his or her designee;

(3) “Department” means the Department of Public Health;

(4) “Fill station” means a location at which customers of a water company may obtain potable water;

(5) “Small community water system” has the same meaning as provided in section 19a-37e; and

(6) “Water company” has the same meaning as provided in section 25-32a.

(b) A water company shall update its emergency contingency plan prepared pursuant to section 25-32d and section 25-32d-3 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, to include information regarding the provision of alternative sources of potable water for human consumption that can be utilized as a temporary measure when there is a water supply emergency. Such plan shall identify alternative sources of potable water for possible use at various stages of an emergency, including, but not limited to, bulk water provided by a bulk water hauler licensed pursuant to section 20-278h, bottled water, a fill station, interconnection or agreement with a nearby public water system for supplemental water supplies in the event of an emergency, other approved public water supply source or mechanism for providing water identified in the emergency contingency plan, or as otherwise approved by the commissioner. The commissioner, in consultation with water companies, shall prepare materials and provide guidance to such water companies to implement the provisions of this subsection. Nothing in this section shall prevent a water company from providing an alternative source of potable water for an event lasting less than twelve hours that may adversely impact the quality or quantity of potable water supplies. As used in this subsection, “water supply emergency” means any event lasting more than twelve consecutive hours that results in the water supplied from the water company to residents that is not in compliance with the regulations of Connecticut state agencies concerning the purity and adequacy of drinking water.

(c) A small community water system shall update its emergency response plan required pursuant to section 19-13-B102 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies to include information regarding the provision of alternative sources of potable water for human consumption that can be utilized as a temporary measure when there is a water supply emergency. Such plan shall identify alternative sources of potable water for possible use at various stages of an emergency, including, but not limited to, bulk water provided by a bulk water hauler licensed pursuant to section 20-278h, bottled water, a fill station, interconnection or agreement with a nearby public water system for supplemental water supplies in the event of an emergency, or other approved public water supply source or mechanism for providing water identified in the emergency contingency plan. The commissioner, in consultation with small community water systems, shall prepare materials and provide guidance to such water systems to implement the provisions of this section. Nothing in this section shall prevent a small community water system from providing an alternative source of potable water for an event lasting less than twelve hours that may adversely impact the quality or quantity of potable water supplies. As used in this subsection, “water supply emergency” means any event lasting more than twelve consecutive hours that results in the water supplied from the small community water system to residents that is not in compliance with the regulations of Connecticut state agencies concerning the purity and adequacy of drinking water.