OH HB352

Requires new public water systems (community water systems or nontransient systems) proposing to provide water after October 1, 1999 to submit documentation demonstrating technical, managerial, and financial capability to comply with safe drinking water requirements.

Authorizes the Director of Environmental Protection to adopt rules requiring existing public water systems to submit and implement capability assurance plans if they demonstrate substantial noncompliance or operate in a manner creating unacceptable public health risks or contamination risks.

Adds four new prohibitions: violating safe drinking water laws, making false material statements in required documents, altering or omitting water samples from required reporting, and tampering with public water system operation without authorization.

Establishes criminal penalties including misdemeanor charges (up to $10,000 fine and one year imprisonment) for reckless violations and felony charges (up to $25,000 fine and four years imprisonment) for knowing violations of false statements, sample falsification, or tampering provisions.

Creates enhanced felony penalties for violations that pose significant threats to or cause significant harm to public health, with identical felony-level fines and imprisonment terms.