The 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, mandating updates on tank levels at least twice daily and the use of telemetry where feasible. Additionally, it requires public water systems to provide quarterly operational and financial reports, participate in Open Checkbooks, and undergo independent reviews if they receive multiple complaints.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that each public service district appoint a communications officer to ensure timely updates to customers during service disruptions, utilizing various communication platforms. It also addresses the shortage of qualified water plant workers by requiring 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, communication, 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