2015 -- S 0537 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

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LC001521/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES-WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Lynch, Ciccone, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24.5 of the General Laws entitled "Waste Water Management

Districts" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     45-24.5-6. Connections to existing sanitary sewer lines from facilities across city and

town lines. -- Notwithstanding any other state or local law or regulation to the contrary, those

facilities in the state of Rhode Island, except for communities on Aquidneck Island, that currently

discharge wastewater from an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system that do not have

reasonable access to an available sewer within the city or town where the property is located, are

hereby authorized to construct, use, operate, maintain and repair a sanitary sewer line (and any

necessary pump or lift station equipment) connecting to a neighboring city or town sanitary sewer

line in lieu of continuing to utilize their existing on-site wastewater treatment and disposal, upon

the following conditions:

     (1) The construction, use, operation, maintenance and repair of such sanitary sewer line

shall be subject to the issuance of all required state approvals, permits and licenses; and local

approvals and permits, and licenses to the extent such local approvals, permits and licenses are

not inconsistent with the foregoing authorization;

     (2) The neighboring city or town sanitary line is in closer proximity to the property than

the city or town sanitary line wherein the property is located;

     (3) The cost to connect to the in-city or in-town sanitary sewer line is significantly greater

than connection to the neighboring city or town sanitary sewer line closest to the subject property;

     (4) The neighboring city or town sanitary sewer line has capacity as determined by the

host sewer authority to accept the additional flow; and

     (5) Not allowing the connection would result in a potential or continuing environmental

detriment.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES-WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS

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     This act would authorize connection to existing sanitary sewer lines from facilities across

city and town lines under certain circumstances.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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