West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia SB586: Modifying requirements for public water systems
Status: Signed into law, March 27, 2026
What the bill says
An act to amend and reenact §16-1-4 and §16-1-9a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the regulation of public water systems; creating two classifications of backflow prevention assemblies; providing that the Secretary of the Department of Health may not require low-hazard backflow prevention assemblies to be inspected more frequently than once in three years; and providing that high-hazard backflow prevention assemblies shall be inspected annually. ARTICLE 1. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM. §16-1-4. Proposal of rules by the secretary. (a) The secretary may propose legislati.
From the enrolled text, March 12, 2026:
AN ACT to amend and reenact §16-1-4 and §16-1-9a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the regulation of public water systems; creating two classifications of backflow prevention assemblies; providing that the Secretary of the Department of Health may not require low-hazard backflow prevention assemblies to be inspected more frequently than once in three years; and providing that high-hazard backflow prevention assemblies shall be inspected annually. ARTICLE 1. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM. §16-1-4. Proposal of rules by the secretary. (a) The secretary may propose legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code that include: (1) Land usage endangering the public health: Provided, That no rules may be promulgated or enforced restricting the subdivision or development of any parcel of land within which the individual tracts, lots, or parcels exceed two acres each in total surface area and which individual tracts, lots, or parcels have an average frontage of not less than 150 feet even though the total surface area of the tract, lot, or parcel equals or exceeds two acres in total surface area, and which tracts are sold, leased, or utilized only as single-family dwelling units. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, nothing in this section may be construed to abate the authority of the department (B) Propose or …