Governor JB Pritzker has signed a new law ensuring Illinois maintains local control over safe drinking water standards while enhancing enforcement tools to protect public health.

The law, Senate Bill 2266, allows the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to impose civil penalties against non-community public water systems that violate drinking water standards. It also clarifies that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is the lead agency in implementing the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in Illinois.

Non-community public water systems include schools, and units of local governments that often rely on private wells to serve water to the public. These systems also include certain local government-owned or operated facilities, such as municipal campgrounds, park district facilities, libraries, or event venues that operate their own wells or independent water systems separate from a community water supply.

Without this legislation, Illinois risked losing oversight of these systems to federal authorities, a concern highlighted during legislative debates. The law ensures continued state-level enforcement to protect public health and maintain compliance with federal requirements.

Senate Bill 2266 passed the Illinois House by a vote of 75-39 and the Senate by 44-11. The new law took effect immediately upon signing.

What this means for local governments:

Local governments that operate non-community water systems should review their facilities and water systems to determine whether they fall under these regulations. If so, it is important to continue regular water quality testing and compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act, as IDPH now has clear authority to impose civil penalties for violations. This law underscores the need for diligent recordkeeping and compliance practices to ensure the water provided at these facilities meets health standards.

If you have questions about how this new law may affect your water system compliance or inspection procedures, please contact our office. We are ready to assist your entity in maintaining compliance with Illinois and federal safe drinking water requirements while protecting the health of your employees, patrons, and community.

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