H.F. 3971 Summary

• Reestablishes the Advisory Council on Water Supply Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities with 11 voting members including representatives from the Department of Health, Pollution Control Agency, certified water and wastewater operators, municipalities, and the general public.

• Requires geographic diversity on the council with at least one water supply operator and one wastewater operator from outside the seven-county metropolitan area, plus one wastewater operator from the Metropolitan Council.

• Appropriates unspecified amounts in fiscal year 2021 to the commissioner of health for cost-effectiveness plan reviews of drinking water facilities in cooperation with the Minnesota Rural Water Association and University of Minnesota.

• Provides grants to cities and political subdivisions to develop asset management plans for drinking water facilities and to assess, inventory, and replace lead service lines in public water supplies.

• Appropriates funds to the Pollution Control Agency to identify high-risk subsurface sewage treatment systems and provide technical assistance and grants for upgrades and replacements to protect drinking water quality.