HB71 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Drinking water, to set safety and cleanliness requirements for the design, construction, permitting, and operation of certain water distribution facilities, Sec. 22-23-55 added

Summary

HB71 would set safety and cleanliness requirements for the design, construction, permitting, and operation of certain drinking water distribution facilities in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require community water systems and certain larger non-community systems to meet new standards for water mains, materials, testing, and storage. It would require NSF/ANSI 61 certified components, pressure testing, disinfection, and bacteriological testing with results provided to the water board before a final inspection and before meters can be installed. It would also impose separation and flood protection rules for new water mains near sewers, set guidelines for pumping stations, and require comprehensive storage tank standards including covered reservoirs, protective coatings, and pre-use disinfection and testing.

Who It Affects

• Community water systems and non-community public water systems that regularly serve at least 25 people for six months per year would need to comply with the new design, construction, testing, and storage requirements.
• Water boards/regulatory authorities and the operators of water systems would be responsible for enforcing the rules, reviewing test results, approving inspections, and ensuring compliance with separation, flood protection, and storage standards.

Key Provisions

• Adds §22-23-55 to apply to community water systems and certain non-community public water systems and sets safety/cleanliness requirements for water mains, joints, and meter setting.
• Requires materials and joining components to avoid contamination; gaskets, O-rings, and similar parts must be NSF/ANSI 61 certified.
• Requires pressure testing, disinfection, and bacteriological testing for newly installed mains; results must be documented and provided to the board with a request for final inspection before meters are set.
• For mains installed after January 1, 2013: maintain at least five feet horizontal separation from sanitary sewer mains; crossings must use a continuous casing to maintain separation; water mains should be positioned so sewer main is at least 18 inches below; avoid contact with sewer manholes, septic fields, or solvents unless adequately cased.
• Pumping stations must be located/constructed to resist flooding and to maintain adequate pressure to customers.
• Finished water storage facilities rules: no uncovered reservoirs open to the atmosphere; storage structures must have watertight roofs/covers; access manholes must have locking mechanisms; coatings must meet specified standards and not contaminate water.
• Storage tanks built after December 31, 2006 must allow a minimum 50% water height fluctuation, minimize water age, limit large inlet diameters unless approved, allow tank removal for cleaning, and require disinfection and bacteriological testing before service with documentation to the board.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Environmental Management Department