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SB 258

Water - As enacted, clarifies that if a point-of-entry treatment device is installed in a facility solely to soften hard water and, because of the installation of such a device, the house, building, or complex of buildings meets the definition of a public water system under the Tennessee Safe Drinking Water Act of 1983, then the facility constitutes a consecutive system, and is required to monitor the influent and finished water for hardness, alkalinity, and pH on a quarterly basis, and sodium on an annual basis, and report the results to the department of environment and conservation within 15 days of the end of the reporting period. - Amends TCA Title 68.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Pody

Water-softening facilities now classified as public water systems must quarterly test water quality and annually test sodium levels, reporting results to state environmental agency within 15 days.

Pub. Ch. 233
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Bill Summary · SB 258

Legislative bill overview

SB 258 clarifies that facilities installing water softening treatment devices at the point-of-entry become classified as "consecutive public water systems" under Tennessee's Safe Drinking Water Act. These facilities must now conduct quarterly monitoring of water hardness, alkalinity, and pH, plus annual sodium testing, with results reported to the Department of Environment and Conservation within 15 days of each reporting period.

Why is this important

This establishes clear regulatory oversight for private facilities that inadvertently become public water systems through water treatment installation, ensuring drinking water quality monitoring occurs in multi-unit buildings and complexes. The requirement creates accountability for water treatment effectiveness and potential contamination risks in shared water systems serving multiple residents or tenants.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance burden on property owners: Small apartment complexes or residential buildings may face new administrative and testing costs they didn't anticipate when installing water softeners solely for hard water treatment
  • Definition ambiguity: The phrase "solely to soften hard water" may create disputes about when facilities must comply if softening devices serve secondary purposes or if installations occurred before this law
  • Reporting timeline feasibility: The 15-day reporting deadline after quarterly testing periods may be challenging for smaller facilities without dedicated compliance staff

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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