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H4629 • 2026
Public Water System
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Public Water System
Introduced and read first time ( House Journal-page 40 )
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry ( House Journal-page 40 )
Prefiled
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
Public Water System
2025-2026 Bill 4629: Public Water System - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly 126th Session, 2025-2026 Download This Bill in Microsoft Word Format Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter H. 4629 STATUS INFORMATION General Bill Sponsors: Reps. J.L. Johnson and Clyburn Document Path: LC-0325VR26.docx Introduced in the House on January 13, 2026 Currently residing in the House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry Summary: Public Water System HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS Date Body Action Description with journal page number 12/16/2025 House Prefiled 12/16/2025 House Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry 1/13/2026 House Introduced and read first time ( House Journal-page 40 ) 1/13/2026 House Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry ( House Journal-page 40 ) View the latest legislative information at the website VERSIONS OF THIS BILL 12/17/2025 A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-55-55 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO REQUIRE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM DISINFECTANT LEVEL OF FREE OR TOTAL CHLORINE, WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. A rticle 1, Chapter 55, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: S ection 44-55-55 . ( A) The Department of Environmental Services shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act that require every public water system in the State to maintain a minimum disinfectant level of free or total chlorine in the water being delivered to the distribution system, in finished water storage tanks, and in all points of the distribution. The regulations may not specify a minimum disinfectant level of less than 0.1 parts per million. This section applies to any water system that provides water for residential consumption and use. However, the provisions of this section do not apply to any private water system that supplies water to three or less residences or that is used primarily for agricultural operations. ( B) The department shall review regulations promulgated pursuant to this section as necessary and submit an annual report on the state of public water systems across South Carolina to the Senate Medical Affairs Committee and the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee no later than February first of each year. ( C) An industrial user that owns, operates, and maintains a water system dedicated to the exclusive use of its operations or facilities may apply for a variance from any requirement to maintain a minimum disinfectant level of free or total chlorine in its water system. The department shall review any variance request and may grant approval if not inconsistent with applicable federal law. Nothing in this section may be construed to require an industrial user or consumer holding a variance or holding a variance pending a department determination to reapply for a variance. S ECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 2:43 PM