(a) The department may by written permission allow a person to package water for use in public emergencies without obtaining a water bottling license, where the emergency has resulted in the interruption of, or has compromised the quality of, the public drinking water supply. This permission may authorize the suspension of any provision of this chapter and related regulations.
(b) (1) The department may at any time change or impose on the permittee any requirements such as testing, equipment, and documentation that the department deems necessary to protect public health but in doing so shall consider the effect of those requirements in light of the urgency of the situation. The department may grant or withdraw this permission at any time.
(2) Packing, distribution, and use of water under this permit shall only be allowed during the emergency period and shall end upon the restoration of adequate public drinking supplies as determined by the department. Distribution shall be limited to the area affected. Water so packaged shall be prominently labeled “drinking water”, “for emergency use only”, and “not for sale”, or similar wording approved by the department.
(c) This section shall not be construed to restrict licensed water bottling plants from providing water processed in accordance with this chapter in emergency situations.
(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 533, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2001.)