WHEREAS, Safe drinking water is vital to human survival and a basic right for everyone. No matter where we live, work or travel, and regardless of our age, physical condition, race or other personal circumstances, this right must be honored and preserved; and

WHEREAS, Under Rhode Island General Laws 23-1, the Rhode Island Health Department is given the authority to promulgate rules and regulations to provide an effective solution to the problem of providing safe drinking water to the public; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Westerly is subject to an interim order by the Rhode Island Department of Health concerning the disinfecting of the Westerly water supply by means of chlorination; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Westerly and its citizens are concerned about the possible negative health effects from the use of chlorine as a water disinfectant, as well as the ability to evenly distribute the required chlorination; and

WHEREAS, The overwhelming majority of the citizens of Westerly are displeased with, and have lost confidence in, the overall quality of the water since the Department of Health's chlorination pilot program took effect; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Westerly is continuing to review alternative methods to disinfect the public water supply; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby requests the Rhode Island Department of Health to desist from any final order that would mandate the Town of Westerly to chlorinate its water and/or the level of such chlorination for a period of eighteen (18) months as this issue of fundamental importance continues to be studied; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island Department of Health allow, provide planning and financial assistance for, and encourage the Town of Westerly to explore alternative means for disinfecting its water supply; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Department of Health.