We are excited to share that the Clean Drinking Water Act of 2020 was introduced recently in the House by Delegate Hansen as HB4542 and it’s counterpart in the Senate was introduced by Senator Ihlenfeld as SB679. You may have seen the recent Press Conference on our pages, or the coverage of the Act here, here, here, and here.

West Virginia Environmental Council supports this bill, which aims to identify and reduce exposure to class of chemical toxins known as polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. These substances are “forever chemicals” and accumulate in the environment. A main source of exposure to PFAS is through contaminated drinking water.

Here’s how the bill ensures clean drinking water:

1. Establishes PFAS water quality criteria to set safe limits on the amount of PFAS chemicals allowed in our water supplies.
2. Sets a statewide maximum contaminant level (“MCL”) on the amount of PFAS allowed in tap water.
3. Requires polluters to report and monitor their use of PFAS.
4. Creates an interagency WV PFAS Action Response Team

The bills are were introduced into the Health and Human Resources committee on the House side and the Judiciary committee on the Senate side, We are asking for you to reach out to members of these committees to urge them to add the Clean Drinking Water Act of 2020 to their agendas, so the bills can get through committee and the first chamber before Crossover Day (February 26).

Let legislators know that West Virginians deserve clean, safe drinking water!

Contact info:
House: Health & Human Resources
Senate: Judiciary