58:12A-20. Drinking water quality institute

a. There is established in the department the Drinking Water Quality Institute. The institute shall comprise 15 members as follows: the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the Commissioner of Health, and the Chairman of the Water Supply Advisory Council, the Director of the Division of Water Resources in the department, the Director of the Office of Science and Research in the department and the Director of the Office of Occupational and Environmental Health in the Department of Health, all of whom shall serve ex officio; and nine appointed members, three of whom shall represent the water purveyors, at least one of which has as its primary water source an underground source; three of whom shall represent the academic scientific community and three of whom, having backgrounds in environmental health issues, shall represent the public, with one of each group of three set forth hereinbefore to be appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly. Of the members first appointed, three shall serve for terms of three years, three for terms of two years and three for terms of one year. Thereafter, all terms shall be for three years. Each member shall serve for the term of his appointment and until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term only. Any member of the institute may be removed by the appointing authority, for cause, after public hearing.

b. Members of the institute shall serve without compensation, but the institute may, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it for such purposes, reimburse its members for necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

c. The institute shall meet at such times and places as may be determined by its chairman, who shall be designated by the Governor. A majority of the membership of the institute shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Action may be taken and motions and resolutions adopted by the institute at any meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the full membership of the institute.

d. The institute shall make recommendations for the implementation of the Drinking Water Quality Program by the department. These recommendations shall consist of:

(1) The development of a list of contaminants for which testing shall be required;

(2) The development of maximum contaminant levels;

(3) The development of appropriate testing techniques to measure maximum contaminant levels;

(4) The development of testing frequencies;

(5) The review of all activities undertaken pursuant to the "Safe Drinking Water Act" and any amendments or supplements thereto.

e. The Drinking Water Quality Institute shall have the authority to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county or municipal department, board, commission or agency that may be required and made available for such purposes.

L.1983, c. 443, s. 10, eff. Jan. 9, 1984.