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SB457 • 2026
Providing water filtration equipment to residents whose water is deemed unsafe
Providing water filtration equipment to residents whose water is deemed unsafe
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-01-16
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To Natural Resources
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2026-01-16
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Introduced in Senate
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2026-01-16
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To Natural Resources then Finance
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2026-01-16
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Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Providing water filtration equipment to residents whose water is deemed unsafe
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
SB 457 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version Senate Bill 457 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION FISCAL NOTE Introduced Senate Bill 457 By Senator Chapman [Introduced January 16, 2026; referred to the Committee on Natural Resources; and then to the Committee on Finance] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §16-1-9h, relating to water quality affecting residents of the state; establishing findings; requiring Department of Health evaluate whether public water sources contain levels of contaminants making them unsafe; providing water filtration equipment or technology to residents whose water is deemed unsafe; and providing for rulemaking. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 1. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM. §16-1-9h. Provision of house water filtration for residents in designated areas. (a) The Legislature finds that water quality is essential to the health of all West Virginians. Despite the efforts of local and state government, and the intent to provide high quality water for residents, there are areas in the state in which the water has high levels of contaminants. If drinking water contains unsafe levels of contaminants, it can cause health effects, such as gastrointestinal illnesses, nervous system or reproductive effects, and chronic diseases such as cancer. Factors that can influence whether a contaminant will lead to health effects include the type of contaminant, its concentration in the water, individual susceptibility, the amount of water consumed, and the duration of exposure. Water containing high levels of contaminants are not only unsafe for drinking but may also be unsafe for other household purposes like bathing. (b) The Department of Health shall establish a program to examine water quality from public water systems throughout the state and determine thresholds of various contaminants that may make the use of that water unsafe for residents. If a public water source is found to exceed any level of contaminant, and deemed unsafe, the department shall provide water filtration equipment or technology to residents served by that water source. Factors to be considered in making determinations regarding water quality are levels of contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, microorganisms, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, and disinfection byproducts, as well as any other factor the department determines to be necessary. (c) The department may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq . to effectuate the provisions of this section. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is regarding water quality affecting residents of the state; establishing findings; requiring Department of Health to evaluate whether public water sources contain levels of contaminants making them unsafe; providing water filtration equipment or technology to residents whose water is deemed unsafe; and providing for rulemaking. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: