2026 -- H 7872

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LC005192

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

     Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Cotter, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 46-13-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-13 entitled "Public

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

     46-13-10. Correction of unsafe conditions.

     When the water from a public water supply system is not safe, potable, or is subject to

contamination as determined by the director, the person maintaining the public water supply system

shall take immediate action to correct sanitary defects, improve operation, provide necessary water

treatment, or make any other changes or additions necessary to provide safe and potable water.

Failure to do so, within the time limits set by the director under the rules and regulations

promulgated by the department of health pursuant to § 46-13-18, and after the hearing provided by

§ 46-13-12, shall result in a civil penalty not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

Each day of non-compliance shall constitute a separate violation.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 46-13 of the General Laws entitled "Public Drinking Water Supply"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     46-13-23. Penalties for extended service interruptions.

     Any public water supplier that fails to restore continuous service to at least ninety percent

(90%) of affected customers within four (4) hours after an unplanned outage, unless caused by

force majeure, shall pay a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per customer for each

additional hour of delay, up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per customer, per day. Said fines shall

be deposited into the general fund and shall in no way limit recovery of other fines and recovered

damages. The director of health may adjust or waive the civil penalty based on hardship, or

noncompliance for reasons beyond the reasonable control of the water supplier acting in good faith.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

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     This act would establish civil penalties for extended service interruptions by water

suppliers. These penalties would be in addition to other available remedies and damages.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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