NC S681

Creates a new subdivision (12a) allowing the Department Secretary to order persons causing or contributing to water or air pollution to immediately reduce, discontinue, or mitigate emissions and discharge of wastes when danger to public health or safety exists.

Requires responsible parties to provide temporary alternate water supplies or establish permanent replacement water supplies to affected households, with permanent supplies provided through public water supply connections unless households elect to receive whole-house filtration systems instead.

Makes responsible parties liable for periodic maintenance of any installed filtration systems and for all actual and necessary costs incurred by the state in removing, correcting, or abating adverse pollution effects.

Authorizes the Secretary to recover assessed costs through civil action in superior court if responsible parties refuse or fail to pay within a reasonable time.

Appropriates $75,000 in recurring General Fund monies to the Department of Environmental Quality for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to implement the act.