2012 -- H 8232

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LC02625

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Naughton, Bennett, Flaherty, and Trillo

     Date Introduced: May 30, 2012

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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renewals required by this chapter.

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

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

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

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

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

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include delivery via either:

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      (i) Postal patron mailing;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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water department headquarters for public reference.

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

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

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

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

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

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are still responsible for meeting all federal requirements.

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

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

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to obtain a copy of the report.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02625

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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 permit the City of Warwick to comply with the publication requirement of

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

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available at specified city facilities.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02625

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