bill ordering quarterly wastewater tests for drug byproducts

The text as introduced · 409 words

89R11160 CMO-F

By: Hughes
S.B. No. 1976

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain testing requirements at certain wastewater

treatment facilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 26, Water Code, is amended

by adding Section 26.054 to read as follows:

Sec. 26.054. URINARY METABOLITE TESTING FOR CERTAIN

WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES. (a) The commission shall conduct

quarterly testing for the urinary metabolites listed in Subsection

(b) of all intakes and outflows of the wastewater treatment

facilities described by Subsection (c). Tests conducted under this

section must be performed by an accredited or certified

environmental testing laboratory.

(b) In accordance with Subsection (a), the commission shall

conduct testing for the following urinary metabolites in the form

of gluconates:

(1) benzophenone;

(2) bisphenol A;

(3) estrone;

(4) ethinyl estradiol;

(5) musk ketone;

(6) pregnanediol;

(7) testosterone;

(8) tonalide (AHTN);

(9) mifepristone; and

(10) any other organic substance required to be tested

for by the commission.

(c) The commission shall conduct the testing required by

this section at:

(1) each wastewater treatment facility located within

10 miles of a municipality with a population of 250,000 or more; and

(2) at least 10 wastewater treatment facilities

located within 10 miles of a municipality:

(A) with a population of 100,000 or more but less

than 250,000;

(B) with a population of 25,000 or more but less

than 100,000; and

(C) with a population of less than 25,000.

(d) In selecting wastewater treatment facilities for

testing under Subsection (c)(2), the commission shall prioritize

facilities that reasonably represent typical wastewater systems of

municipalities of the population categories in that subsection.

(e) The commission shall maintain detailed records of all

testing conducted under this section and publish the records on the

commission's Internet website. The records must include:

(1) the date on which each sample was collected;

(2) the location from which each sample was collected;

(3) the date on which each sample was tested for the

presence of the urinary metabolites listed in Subsection (b); and

(4) the results of the test for each urinary

metabolite listed in Subsection (b) in parts per trillion.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.