65-171q. Same; exemptions; required findings; notice; requests for public hearings; scheduled compliance. (a) The secretary of health and environment may grant an exemption from any requirement relating to a maximum contaminant level or from any treatment technique requirement, or from both, of an applicable primary drinking water standard to a public water supply system upon a finding that: (1) The exemption will not result in an unreasonable risk to the public health; (2) the public water supply system is unable to comply with the contaminant level or treatment technique requirement due to compelling factors, which may include economic factors; and (3) the public water supply system was in operation on the effective date of the contaminant level or treatment technique requirement.

(b) Prior to granting an exemption, the secretary shall provide notice in a newspaper of general circulation serving the area served by the public water supply system of the proposed exemption and that interested persons may request a public hearing on the proposed exemption.

(c) If a public hearing is requested the secretary shall set a time and place for the hearing. Frivolous and insubstantial requests for a hearing may be denied by the secretary. An exemption shall be conditioned on monitoring, testing, analyzing or other requirements to insure the protection of the public health. An exemption granted shall include a schedule of compliance under which the public water supply system is required to meet each contaminant level or treatment technique requirement for which an exemption is granted within a reasonable time as specified by the secretary.

History: L. 1977, ch. 212, § 9; April 14.