The bill amends K.S.A. 65-162a and K.S.A. 65-171m to update definitions and regulations related to public water supply systems and the reuse of treated wastewater. Key definitions are clarified, including "direct potable reuse," which refers to producing drinking water from treated wastewater without an environmental buffer, and "indirect potable reuse," which involves discharging treated wastewater into an environmental buffer for future drinking water supply. The definition of "public water supply system" is also revised to include systems with at least ten service connections or that serve an average of twenty-five individuals daily for at least sixty days a year.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Environment adopt rules and regulations by July 1, 2028, to facilitate both direct and indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater. It outlines the authority of the Secretary to establish primary drinking water standards, monitoring requirements, and varying regulations based on the type of public water supply system. The bill also ensures that the standards are at least as stringent as national regulations and prohibits the mandatory addition of fluorides to public water supplies. The previous versions of K.S.A. 65-162a and 65-171m are repealed, indicating a significant update to the legal framework governing water supply and safety in Kansas.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 65-162a, 65-171m