CT HB05334

Requires permits from the Commissioner of Public Health before any water supply source serving a public water system or potential water supply source can be abandoned, sold, or alienated, effective October 1, 2012.

Establishes a 60-day advance notification process where applicants must notify the commissioner, who then notifies relevant municipalities and local health departments, with a 60-day period for public comment.

Requires applicants to notify water companies that may reasonably use the water supply source by certified mail, and allows interested water companies 60 days to express intent to acquire the source; if multiple companies apply, the commissioner holds a hearing to determine which company receives acquisition rights.

Prohibits approval of applications unless the commissioner determines the water source is not needed as a current or future supply source or would not impair the public water system's ability to provide pure, adequate, and reliable water; includes streamlined approval for groundwater sources with safe yield under 10 gallons per minute and poor water quality.

Requires that land connected with abandoned or sold water sources must be sold, leased, or disposed of in accordance with existing law and acquired by the same water company purchasing the source, unless the commissioner grants an exemption for water companies claiming operational necessity or municipalities with municipal facilities on the land.