2007 Senate Bill 728

Expand commercial/industrial groundwater restrictions and regulations

Introduced in the Senate

Sept. 5, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Michael Switalski (D-10)

To require bottled water producers that use more than 100,000 gallons of groundwater per day to undergo extensive permitting procedures, including the need to perform rigorous hydro-geological studies; assessments of the effects on flows and levels of groundwater, springs, lakes and streams, wetlands, or nearby wells; precipitation studies; pump tests; public hearings, and more. Under current law bottlers that use more than 250,000 gallons are required to demonstrate that this won’t have an adverse effect on water resources, or affect the right of other property owners to enjoy the reasonable use of groundwater. The bill is part of a legislative package consisting of Senate Bills 721 to 729 and House Bills 5065 to 5073 that would restrict and subject to extensive regulation the use of groundwater by industrial and commercial businesses.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs