Public Water System Connections AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-200 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS AND PROHIBIT A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FROM UNREASONABLY RESTRICTING PRIVATE WELLS ON AGRICULTURAL OR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND FROM REQUIRING CONNECTION TO A WATER SYSTEM IF THE SYSTEM IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - RATIFIED TITLEView full text View Vote History View Fiscal Impact02/05/26House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 15)02/05/26House Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs (House Journal-page 15)03/25/26House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Lastinger04/01/26House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hartz04/02/26House Committee report: Favorable with amendment Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs (House Journal-page 7)04/14/26House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Gibson, McCravy, Reese, Duncan04/14/26House Amended (House Journal-page 42)04/14/26House Read second time (House Journal-page 42)04/14/26House Roll call Yeas-109 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 44)04/15/26House Read third time and sent to Senate (House Journal-page 16)04/15/26Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 42)04/15/26Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 42)04/29/26Senate Recalled from Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 7)05/05/26Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 51)05/05/26Senate Roll call Ayes-45 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 51)05/06/26Senate Read third time and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 83)05/14/26 Ratified R 21105/15/26 Signed By Governor05/26/26 Effective date 05/15/2605/26/26 Act No. 158
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to protect property owners in South Carolina who rely on private wells for their water supply. It prohibits local governments from unreasonably restricting the use of private wells on agricultural or single-family residential properties and prevents them from requiring connection to a public water system if that system cannot provide service. The bill also establishes rules regarding backflow prevention devices and well registration, while ensuring property owners are responsible for inspection costs.
Key provisions
- Prohibits local governments from unreasonably restricting private wells on agricultural or residential properties.
- Prevents local governments from requiring connection to a public water system if the system cannot provide service.
- Establishes rules for backflow prevention devices and well registration.
- Requires property owners to pay for inspections of backflow prevention devices.
- Defines terms related to the bill, including ‘political subdivision’ and ‘impaired water quality’.
- Establishes prima facie evidence of compliance for private wells.
- Preempts conflicting local ordinances related to private wells.
Who is affected
- Property owners
- Local governments (counties, municipalities, etc.)
- Agricultural landowners
- Single-family residential property owners
- Water system providers
Notable changes
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