This bill aims to enhance the management and protection of public water systems in West Virginia by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. It removes the Public Water System Supply Study Commission and replaces it with a section on definitions relevant to public water systems. The bill establishes requirements for public water systems to create water level status plans for aboveground water storage tanks, ensuring timely updates on tank levels and access to telemetry data. Additionally, it mandates that public water systems provide quarterly operational and financial reports, participate in Open Checkbooks, and undergo independent reviews if they receive multiple formal complaints.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of communication during service disruptions by requiring public service districts to assign a communication officer and provide timely updates to customers. It also addresses the shortage of qualified water plant workers by directing the Public Service Commission to develop a plan to promote water careers and enhance training programs by July 1, 2026. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve transparency, operational efficiency, and workforce availability in the public water sector.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22-31-2, 22-31-3, 22-31-4, 22-31-5, 22-31-6