SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Ram Villivalam is leading the charge to provide transparency for customers about disruptions in their water service.

“No one should be surprised if their service is disrupted, especially in regard to a resource as essential as water,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Ensuring that water distribution entities have the necessary resources to provide this information to their customers is vital.”

Villivalam’s measure would allow for public water distribution entities to use contact information that they possess to inform customers about a disruption event in their public water supply. Information that they could use may include phone numbers, emails, and addresses. This measure would also allow these entities to use this information, even if consent was not expressly given for this purpose.

“Making sure that water distribution entities are supported in their efforts to inform customers is a step in the right direction in ensuring transparency and timely information,” said Villivalam.

Senate Bill 4804 passed the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee on Thursday, and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.