The Substitute House Bill No. 6977 aims to enhance the regulatory framework governing drinking water and sewage treatment systems under the Department of Public Health (DPH) in Connecticut. Key provisions include the repeal of certain subsections and the introduction of new requirements for the renewal of licenses for health professionals, mandating annual or biennial renewals based on license type. Notably, individuals licensed under section 20-278h must renew every two years. The bill also expands DPH's authority over alternative on-site sewage treatment systems, increasing the capacity limit from 5,000 to 10,000 gallons per day, and clarifies the commissioner's ability to adopt regulations and establish technical standards for these systems.

Additionally, the bill modifies the approval process for public water systems, eliminating the previous requirement for prior review and approval for certain installations. Instead, it requires that any public water system or entity obtain approval before constructing or expanding a drinking water system, with detailed plans submitted to DPH. The bill emphasizes the need for documentation of ownership or control over the sanitary radius of wells and allows DPH to conduct inspections to ensure compliance. Key insertions include definitions for "distribution water main installations" and conditions for approving replacement public wells, while the renewal of licenses for bulk water haulers is specified to occur every two years. Overall, the bill seeks to strengthen public health protections related to drinking water and sewage management without imposing fiscal impacts on the state or municipalities.