This bill seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia by specifically prohibiting the Secretary of the Department of Health from requiring public water systems or businesses to install backflow preventers. The proposed changes include the insertion of language that explicitly states this prohibition within the existing regulations governing public water systems. Additionally, the bill modifies the terminology used in the law, replacing references to "commissioner" with "secretary" to ensure consistency throughout the text.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary regarding the regulation of public water systems, including establishing maximum contaminant levels, treatment techniques, and minimum operational requirements. It emphasizes the importance of safe drinking water and the protection of public health while removing the requirement for backflow prevention assemblies. The bill aims to streamline regulations and reduce the burden on public water systems and businesses, thereby promoting a more flexible regulatory environment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-1-4, 16-1-9a