H.B. No. 5207 amends Section 26.408(b) of the Water Code to enhance notification procedures regarding groundwater contamination. The bill stipulates that the commission must notify affected parties as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days after receiving notice or gaining knowledge of contamination. The notification methods have been expanded to include first-class mail, email, notice placed on the door of a residence, or other effective delivery methods.

The bill specifies that notifications must be sent to each owner of a private drinking water well that may be affected by the contamination, each applicable groundwater conservation district, and the residents of each residential address within one mile of the contamination site. This change aims to ensure that all potentially impacted individuals are informed in a timely manner about groundwater contamination risks. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 26.408 (Water Code 26)