NY S08486

Authorizes water suppliers (cities, villages, water districts, corporations) to draft watershed rules and regulations governing land use, activities, and discharges within drainage areas of public drinking water sources, subject to Department of Health approval

Permits watershed rules to address intake/wellhead protection zones, fertilizer application limits, septic system inspections (up to every 5 years), stormwater management, storage of petroleum and hazardous substances, and control of emerging contaminants including PFAS, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and cyanotoxins

Requires suppliers with watershed rules not updated since 2017 to update them within 5 years of the act taking effect, with the department required to approve or disapprove submissions within 12 months (failure to act constitutes automatic approval)

Establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties of up to $500 per day for violations, property inspection authority with 24-hour notice for non-residential properties, and mandatory 10-year reviews of all watershed rules

Mandates the department issue a procedural manual and model watershed rules within one year and submit annual reports to the governor and legislature on rule adoptions, enforcement actions, and water quality trends