2012 -- S 2278

=======

LC00953

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

     Introduced By: Senators Walaska, Lynch, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Section 46-13-18 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-13 entitled "Public

1-2

Drinking Water Supply" is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-3

     46-13-18. Adoption of regulations. -- (a) The director is hereby authorized to adopt

1-4

regulations consistent with the provisions of this chapter, the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42

1-5

U.S.C. section 300f et seq., and the federal regulations adopted under that act. All new and

1-6

existing public water supply systems subject to the provisions of this chapter must comply with

1-7

the provisions of this chapter and with all the regulations adopted under this chapter in order to

1-8

obtain and/or maintain approval by the director as a public water supply system. The director is

1-9

further authorized to establish by regulation a schedule of fees for applications, approvals, and

1-10

renewals required by this chapter.

1-11

      (b) (1) Any community water system serving a population of ten thousand (10,000) or

1-12

more shall directly deliver a full copy of the consumer confidence report, which is required by the

1-13

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C.

1-14

section 300f et seq., to each household within the water system's service area that receives water

1-15

from that system. The method of delivery shall be determined by the water system, but can

1-16

include delivery via either:

1-17

      (i) Postal patron mailing;

1-18

      (ii) A community newsletter that is directly delivered to each household;

1-19

      (iii) A community calendar that is directly delivered to each household; or

2-20

      (iv) Any other method that will directly reach each household within the water system's

2-21

service area that receives water from that system.; provided, however, that the city of Warwick

2-22

may comply with this section by providing a downloadable copy of the report on the official city

2-23

website, together with providing printed copies at the city library, the mayor’s office and the

2-24

water department headquarters for public reference.

2-25

      (2) In the event that within the service area there are buildings with five (5) or more

2-26

residential units, the system will not be required to deliver directly to each of these units. Instead,

2-27

the water system shall mail multiple copies of the report to the building manager or other

2-28

appropriate individual, noting that the reports should be distributed to residents and/or posted in a

2-29

common area. Additionally, colleges and universities will be exempted from this requirement but

2-30

are still responsible for meeting all federal requirements.

2-31

      (3) The department of health shall serve as the repository for all consumer confidence

2-32

reports and shall direct inquiries for copies of the report to the appropriate water system in order

2-33

to obtain a copy of the report.

2-34

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC00953

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

***

3-1

     This act would permit the City of Warwick to comply with the publication requirement of

3-2

the Safe Drinking Water Act by posting the report on the city website and making printed copies

3-3

available at specified city facilities.

3-4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC00953

=======