House Bill No. [insert number] introduced by Representative Marcelle aims to enhance the testing protocols for drinking water in Louisiana. The bill enacts a new provision under R.S. 40:5.6(C), which mandates that for every compliance sample taken by public water systems under the Lead and Copper Rule, a chlorine strip test must also be conducted using the same sample collected by the homeowner. This additional testing is intended to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water by monitoring chlorine levels alongside lead and copper contaminants.

Furthermore, the bill requires that the results of both the chlorine strip test and the Lead and Copper Rule test be submitted to the office of public health within the Louisiana Department of Health. This measure is designed to improve transparency and oversight in drinking water safety, ensuring that public health officials have access to comprehensive data regarding water quality. The proposed law retains existing provisions that require annual testing of contaminants as per federal regulations, ensuring that the new requirements align with current public health standards.