(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

1. (1) The large water system testing program has discovered chemical contamination of the state’s drinking water with increasing frequency.
2. (2) A significant number of California residents rely on the state’s small water systems to provide their water.
3. (3) The small systems, because they tend to be located in outlying rural areas where pesticide use is prevalent, and because they draw their water from shallow aquifers, face a serious threat of contamination.
4. (4) Unchecked water sources that may be contaminated pose a potentially serious threat to the health of the citizens of California, particularly those living in outlying rural areas.
5. (5) It is in the interest of all Californians that a testing program for small public water systems be implemented and carried out as expeditiously as possible.

(b) For purposes of this section, “small public water system” means a system with 200 connections or less, and is one of the following:

1. (1) A community water system that serves at least 15 service connections used by yearlong residents or regularly serves at least 25 yearlong residents.
2. (2) A state small water system.
3. (3) A noncommunity water system such as a school, labor camp, institution, or place of employment, as designated by the department.

(e) In consultation with the department, the local health officer shall conduct an evaluation of all small public water systems under their jurisdictions to determine the potential for contamination of groundwater sources by organic chemicals. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to:

1. (1) A review of the historical water quality data of each system to determine possible evidence of degradation.
2. (2) A review, to be coordinated with the State Water Resources Control Board, and the California regional water quality control boards, of past and present waste disposal practices that may potentially affect the respective well water supply.
3. (3) A review of other organic chemicals used in the water supply area that have potential health risks and that may have the potential for contaminating drinking water supplies because of environmental persistence or resistance to natural degradation under conditions existing in California.