Prohibits addition of chemicals to public water supply, except those necessary to make water potable.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Since ancient times, Hawaiians have treasured water as the spiritual fount of all life and as a precious resource that must be preserved for the benefit of all. The legislature finds that the State's drinking water is a vital necessity of life and should be maintained free of any chemical additives, except those necessary to make it safe and potable for human consumption. Drinking water should not be used as a means for the delivery of chemicals for medical or dental purposes when other alternatives are available.

The legislature further finds that using the drinking water system for the delivery of chemical additives for medicinal purposes is neither cost effective nor environmentally sound since more than ninety-nine per cent of the chemicals will not be ingested and will be discharged into the environment when washing cars, watering yards, flushing toilets, etc., thereby wasting tax dollars.

Article XI, section 9, of the Hawaii State Constitution guarantees an individual’s right to a clean and healthy environment. The legislature further finds that it should not be the role of government to override an individual’s freedom of choice or right to informed consent, or to compel individuals to purchase purified water to protect their own health or for peace of mind.

The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the introduction of unnecessary chemical additives, considered to be medication, into the State’s drinking water supply.

SECTION 2. Chapter 340E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§340E-   Medication in drinking water; prohibition. No person shall add any product, substance, or chemical to the public water supply, except to federally-owned and operated water systems such as military facilities, for the purpose of treating or affecting the physical or mental functions of the body of any person, rather than to make the water safe or potable. This prohibition shall not apply to water treatment chemicals used to make the water potable and safe to drink, such as chlorine and anti-corrosion chemicals to reduce lead."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.