Pritzker signs safe drinking water standards into law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Monday to ensure safe drinking water standards in Illinois.

The law allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to impose civil penalties against non-community water supplies that violate drinking water standards. It also clarifies that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is the primary department responsible for implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act.

"Illinois would no longer be able to control our non-community water supplies if this bill does not pass," said Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). "It would be taken up by the federal government. So, this is a federally required mandate. If we don't do it right now, we will lose our authority over these."

Schools, factories, restaurants, resorts and churches are considered non-community public water systems since their water usually comes from a well.

Senate Bill 2266 passed out of the House on a 75-39 vote. The measure passed out of the Senate on a 44-11 vote.

"When people are out in the community, they deserve to know that the water they use is safe," said Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). "Safe drinking water standards must be enforced to secure the health of our communities."

The new law took effect immediately.