The bill H.843, introduced by Representative North of Ferrisburgh, aims to enhance the monitoring of municipal wastewater discharges by requiring pollution abatement facilities to specifically monitor for pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The bill amends 10 V.S.A. § 1263, which governs discharge permits, by inserting new language that defines "pollution abatement facility" in alignment with existing definitions and mandates that discharge permits include monitoring requirements for the top 80 percent of pesticides and pharmaceuticals used in Vermont. Additionally, the Secretary is tasked with developing an annual list of these substances based on their usage in the previous year.

The bill also stipulates that the monitoring requirements for pesticides and pharmaceuticals will be included in the operation, management, and emergency response plans of the pollution abatement facilities. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2026. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve water quality and public health by ensuring that municipal wastewater discharges are closely monitored for harmful substances.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-1263