The Connector - Spring 2008 - (Page 10)

Spring 2008 RWAU Legislative Committee Report Paul Fulgham, Legislative Committee Chair 2008 Spring Update oday the 2008 Legislative Session officially came to a close; it has been a busy year for Water Issues. As the Legislative Committee representing the Rural Water Association of Utah, we were following 18 different bills this year: 11 House bills and 7 Senate bills. Some we supported; some we opposed, and others we merely tracked. I will attempt to give highlights to some of these bills. The 2008 Legislative Session opened on January 21st, and on January 22nd the Rural Water Association held our first ever Water Rally on Capital Hill. We had 3 or 4 sponsors of as many key water-related bills speak to us on the benefits of those bills. In addition, we had a keynote address during our luncheon at the Rally delivered by Lieutenant Gary Herbert. We felt that our Water Rally was a success, and we plan on doing it again next year. A few of the bills: * HB 40 Safe Drinking Water ReviH sions, by Rep. S. Anderson • Requiring 1st and 2nd Class Counties to adopt a Source Protection Ordinance that will help protect T water systems sources located in the county. (Passed) * HB 51 Water Right Forfeiture ProtecH tion, by Rep. Patrick Painter • This bill was feverishly worked on by the Water Coalition prior to the session, then repeatedly worked on during the session—it had 5-substutions. This bill will do great things for water systems: nonuse fillings will go from 5 years to 7 years, and water systems will now have the right to hold water rights for 40 years without the worry of losing those rights because of beneficial uses issues. The bill further defines what a “Public Water System” is, thus bringing the privately owned water systems into the realm of Public Water Systems. These were just a few high points of the bill. (Passed) * HB 137 State Facility Water ConserH vation Programs, by Rep. L. Wiley • This bill directs the Division of Water Resources to improve water conservation at state-owned facilities. (Even though this was a good bill, it did not quite make it. This VAL KOTTER OWNER PHONE (435) 734-9598 MOBILE (435) 720-0237 FAX (435) 734-9870 Sewer Cleaning (6"-24") - Cleaning (24" & Up) No Bypass Pumping Required Specialized Equipment • TV Inspection • Leak Sealing (8"-36") Manhole Leak Repair Link Pipe Spot Repair • Ultraliner (PVC Alloy Pipeliner) • Backhoe Work Dump Truck • Permacast MH Lining 1035 WEST FOREST, BRIGHAM CITY, UTAH 84302 Website: www.valkotterandsons.com • Email: pearl@valkotterandsons.com was most likely because it had a cost to the implementation of the bill. We hope to see it back again next year.) * HB 222 Water Quality Board AmendH ments, by Rep. Patrick Painter • Authorizes the Water Quality Board to issue Operating Permits for NonDischarging Lagoon Systems and Large (10,000 GPD) Under Ground Disposal Systems. (Passed) * H 341 Damage to Underground HB Utility Facilities, by Rep. D. Clark • Requires information be provided concerning equipment operator’s association and provides warning language that may be included in building permits. It also addresses the liability of the excavator and requires a 911 call if damage occurs. (Passed) * SB 158 State Rural Boards and ComS mittees, by Sen. D. Stowell • Modifies the membership of the Governor’s Rural Partnership Boards (Passed) * SB 228 Regulation of Wells, Sen. M. S Dayton • Authorizes the State Engineer to commence enforcement/fines against well drillers that break the State rules and regulations, relating to well drilling. (Passed) These are just a few of the bills. We can look forward to some future training sponsored by the Rural Water Association to help teach us water system managers and operators how to use and benefit from the new Water Rights Forfeiture Rules. I look forward to seeing and visiting with you at RWAU activities. The Connector 371067_val.indd 1 10 3/6/08 2:13:02 PM http://www.valkotterandsons.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Connector - Spring 2008

The Connector - Spring 2008 Table of Contents President's Message Executive Director's Comments Letters From Readers Legislative Update RWAU Board and Staff Rural Water News Bees on the Pipeline, Jim Watts How Important are our Public Works People? Curtis Ludvigson A "What" Protection Plan? Erin Borger Meter Reading by Radio Communication, Terry Smith Advanced Distribution, Chuck Jeffs Where in Utah?

The Connector - Spring 2008

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