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SB 4212

WELL SEPTIC HOUSING TASK FORCE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Darby Hills

Creates a task force to study how new housing affects private wells, septic systems, and groundwater, with findings and a final report by 2027.

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Bill Summary · SB 4212

Overview

SB4212 creates the Private Well, Septic, and Water Infrastructure Housing Impact Task Force to study how new residential development affects private wells, septic systems, groundwater quality, drinking water safety, and related environmental and public health concerns in Illinois. The task force would produce findings and recommendations for the Governor and General Assembly, with a final report due by December 31, 2027. The act would dissolve the task force and repeal the act on January 1, 2029.

Purpose and intent

  • Recognize that new housing development in areas served by private wells and septic systems can impact groundwater resources, drinking water safety, and wastewater/infrastructure reliability.
  • Evaluate these impacts and provide recommendations to improve protection, planning, and coordination across agencies and local governments.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of the Private Well, Septic, and Water Infrastructure Housing Impact Task Force.
  • Membership (15–16 members) appointed by legislative leaders, the Governor, and various state entities, including:
    • Representatives from House and Senate leadership (one appointee each, plus minority leaders’ appointees).
    • Statewide associations (municipalities; county boards).
    • Two mayors from growing municipalities (appointed by the Governor).
    • Directors or designees from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Public Health (DPH).
    • A county health department official administering septic permitting.
    • Experts: licensed professional engineer with water/wastewater expertise; hydrogeologist with groundwater expertise.
    • A representative from a statewide environmental advocacy organization.
    • A representative from home builders or residential developers.
    • A rural homeowner representative who relies on private wells and septic systems.
  • Leadership and operations:
    • The task force elects a chairperson from among its members and may elect other officers.
    • Vacancies filled by the same appointment process for the remainder of the term.
    • Members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses.
    • Meetings to be held as needed; chaired by the chairperson.
    • EPA and DPH must provide administrative and technical support.
  • Scope of study and duties (non-exhaustive list in statute):
    • Impacts of new residential development on private wells, groundwater, and aquifers.
    • Capacity of existing septic systems and local wastewater infrastructure to handle growth.
    • Strategies to prevent drinking water contamination from septic failures, stormwater, and development.
    • Best practices for maintaining and inspecting private wells and septic systems in growing communities.
    • Methods to protect groundwater quality, wetlands, streams, and other resources affected by development.
    • Need for additional state guidance, permitting, or funding to support safe well/septic infrastructure.
    • Coordination among state agencies, counties, municipalities, and public health departments.
    • Public education and technical assistance for homeowners on well and septic maintenance.
  • Deliverables:
    • A report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2027, summarizing findings and recommendations on drinking water protection, septic system capacity and regulation, environmental impacts of development, regulatory improvements, funding/technical assistance needs, and long-range planning for communities relying on private wells and septic systems.
    • Report to be submitted in accordance with the General Assembly Organization Act (Section 3.1).
  • Administrative timeline:
    • Task force created upon the Act’s enactment.
    • Final report due December 31, 2027.
    • Repeal of the Task Force and the Act on January 1, 2029.

Who would be affected

  • Local governments (counties and municipalities) and rural communities relying on private wells and septic systems.
  • Homeowners with private wells and septic systems in areas experiencing residential growth.
  • State agencies involved in water, health, environment, and permitting (EPA, DPH, county health departments, and other relevant departments).
  • Private sector stakeholders, including home builders, residential developers, environmental advocacy groups, and groundwater/water professionals.
  • Public and environmental health through potential changes in guidance, permitting, funding, and education programs.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Appointments by legislative leaders, the Governor, and specific state entities are required for diverse representation.
  • The EPA and DPH provide administrative/technical support.
  • The task force operates with meetings as needed and may adjust staffing via committee rules for travel and expenses.
  • Final legislative output is a comprehensive report due by end of 2027.
  • The act establishing the task force would sunset and be repealed on January 1, 2029, ending the program and dissolving the task force.

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

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