Associated Press Published

DHHR: Water Plans Might Need More Funds

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A Department of Health and Human Resources official says the agency might need additional funding to implement new drinking water safety legislation.

The law requires water systems across the state to craft plans to protect their water supplies. The DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health is tasked with overseeing the plans’ creation.

The bureau’s director of public health regulations, Ann Goldberg, says the bureau projects the program to cost nearly $1.9 million in its first year. The cost is expected to decline in future years.

The Legislature allocated $1.5 million for the bureau’s work.

The Charleston Gazette reports that Goldberg discussed the program Tuesday at a legislative committee interim meeting.

The program is among several safeguards approved by lawmakers in response to a January chemical spill in Charleston.