PART V. STATE-LEVEL COLLABORATION TO

IMPROVE PUBLIC DRINKING WATER QUALITY

§1290.1. Legislative findings; purpose

A. The Legislature of Louisiana does hereby find and declare the following:

(1) The provision of water for public use and consumption not only safe but also acceptable in appearance, taste, and odor is of the highest priority.

(2) Water aesthetically unacceptable can undermine the confidence of consumers, will lead to complaints, and could lead to the use of water from sources which are less safe.

(3) Generally, consumers have no means of judging the safety of their water themselves, but their attitude towards the water supply and water suppliers is often greatly affected by the aspects of water quality they are able to perceive with their own senses.

(4) It is natural for consumers to regard with suspicion water that appears dirty or discolored or that has an unpleasant taste or smell. Even though these characteristics may not in themselves be of direct consequence, they may consequently cause a substantial number of persons to discontinue using a public water system.

(5) On July 28, 2010, through Resolution 64/292, the United Nations General Assembly explicitly recognized the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.

(6) In November 2002, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights adopted General Comment No. 15, The Right to Water, which states the human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity and is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights.

B. The purpose of this Part is to request the Louisiana Department of Health to lead a collaborative effort to improve public drinking water quality in this state, and to develop recommendations to the legislature concerning effective and responsible practices to improve and maintain the quality of drinking water provided by water utility systems.

Acts 2017, No. 263, §1.

NOTE: See R.S. 40:1290.4 regarding the termination of this Part on Dec. 31, 2020.