LAC 48:V.7707. Introduction

A. The Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health (OPH) is the state agency within Louisiana granted primary enforcement responsibility from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to ensure that public water systems (PWSs) within the state are in dompliance with state drinking water regulations which are as stringent or more stringent thatn federal drinking warer regulations adopted inaccordance with the Safe Water Act (SDWA) (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.). The SDWA Amendments of 1996 authorized the state to develop and implement a capacity development strategy for new public water systems, public water systems applying for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) monies, and existing public water systems to assess and ensure that such systems acquire and maintain technical, managerial, and financial capacity to facilitate compliance with and further the health protection objectives of the SDWA. B. In accordance with the Louisiana Constitution and authorizing legislation, regulations governing Public Water System Capacity Development are promulgated by OPH.