NFIB submits comments on DEP proposal for higher fees and tighter regulations
The Department of Environmental Protection is proposing raising fees and requirements on businesses that are on well water that serve the public or employees. NFIB has just commented on those regulations in support of our impacted members.
If you own a Pennsylvania campground, golf course, restaurant, motel, marina, attraction, or other business with 25 employees that provides well water, you are impacted by the proposed regulatory change from the Pennsylvania Department of Environment for Public Water Systems (PWS). The definition of a PWS is a system that provides water for human consumption, and that serves at least 15 service connections, or at least 25 people daily, for at least 60 days a year. The proposal will also impact bottled water suppliers, water haulers, and those doing business with municipal water systems.
NFIB’s comments on these proposed regulations urge DEP not to adopt rules that are more stringent than the federal government requires to comply with safe drinking water standards. We believe that puts an unnecessary burden on small business.
We want a better understanding of just how many small businesses are impacted based on more accurate department data. The agency used the federal statutory definition of “small water system” to estimate the number of small businesses affected to be 5,780.
The rules impose a $50 fee on previously exempt water systems when they initially apply or change their current water system. And it appears in the proposal that a rather hefty annual fee will also be imposed on businesses that otherwise are exempt under the existing regulation.
