Legislation that would task the Department of Health with creating a statewide grading system for all water systems is headed to the Senate floor.
Bill author, Parks Senator Fred Mills said independent studies rate the state’s water infrastructure at a D minus, and conclude it would cost five billion dollars to get us to an acceptable level.
“It is a critical issue and I think this last freeze, this last major weather occurrence showed how many systems were susceptible to potential long-term problems,” said Mills.
The grading system would be A through F.
Mills said the grading system would give local communities a roadmap for potential future water system consolidations.
“If everybody knows what water system they have and they are on a D or an F water system that is failing and right down the road there is an A water system it starts the conversation that maybe we should merge,” said Mills, who adds the first grades would be required by 2023.
Mills said the grading system will be based on past violations, the system’s financial sustainability, infrastructure violations, and customer satisfaction.
“All of that will be on a very objective scorecard vote that every system will have to go through and that grading system will be very transparent and available to the public,” said Mills.
The legislation cleared Senate Health and Welfare without opposition.
Comments