CT HB05424

Water Planning Council must prepare a state water plan by July 1, 2017, addressing water resource management on a regional basin scale and balancing public water supply, economic development, recreation, and ecological health.

State water plan must include climate resiliency strategies, technology and infrastructure upgrades, land acquisition assessments, water reuse policies, conservation guidelines, and modifications to laws needed for implementation.

Draft plan requires a minimum 120-day public review period with at least one public hearing; final plan must be submitted to General Assembly joint standing committees by January 1, 2018, and becomes effective upon legislative adoption or automatic approval if no action taken by July 1, 2018.

Commissioner of Public Health may declare public drinking water supply emergencies and authorize water conservation practices, interconnections between water systems, or temporary water transfers for up to 150 days.

Water utility coordinating committees must prepare coordinated water system plans addressing integration, interconnections, conservation, water quality, flood management, recreation, and aquatic habitat issues.