Connecticut2026Passed Legislature
HB05518
New Rules for Bottled Water Safety and Testing
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 6:19 AM
In one sentence
This law updates rules for companies that sell bottled water to ensure their sources are safe, approved by health officials, and tested regularly.
What it does
- Changes the definition of 'approved laboratory' from registered to certified by the Department of Public Health or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Requires bottlers in the state to get approval from the Department of Public Health before using a local water source.
- Sets new rules for testing bottled water sources for perfluoroalkyl substances and unregulated contaminants based on federal standards.
- Updates definitions for different types of water, such as spring water, mineral water, purified water, and artesian well water.
- Requires bottlers to collect water samples at least once a year before any treatment is applied.
Who it affects
- Companies that bottle or distribute water for sale in the state
- The Department of Public Health officials who inspect sources and issue approvals
- Environmental laboratories certified by the Department of Public Health to test drinking water samples
Limits and unknowns
- The provided text is an excerpt and cuts off before finishing the section on annual batch sampling requirements.
- While some sections are effective October 1, 2026, other testing schedules begin January 1, 2027.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Approved source
- A place where bottled water comes from, like a spring or well, that has been inspected and approved by health officials.
- Perfluoroalkyl substance
- Specific chemicals listed in federal rules (40 CFR 141.903) that are tested for because they can be harmful to health.
- Unregulated contaminant
- Harmful substances found in water sources where no official safety limit has been set yet by state or federal law, as listed in 40 CFR 141.40.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
To implement the Department of Public Health's recommendations regarding various revisions to the environmental health and drinking water statutes, including statutes relating to bottled water, environmental laboratories and asbestos abatement.
Official activity
Bill history
- Signed by the Governor
- Transmitted to the Secretary of State
- Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
- Public Act 26-142LCO
- Senate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
- Senate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
- In Concurrence
- Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
- Senate Calendar Number 520
- House Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 5666
- House Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
- Immediate Transmittal to the Senate
- Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' OfficeLCO
- Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
- House Calendar Number 363
- File Number 543LCO
- Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/26 5:00 PMLCO
- Filed with Legislative Commissioners' OfficeLCO
- Joint FavorablePH
- Public Hearing 03/13