06-R 177

2006 -- S 2998

Enacted 04/04/06

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY TO ADDRESS THE BREECHES IN SECURITY AFFECTING RHODE ISLAND'S DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES

Introduced By: Senators Doyle, Tassoni, McBurney, and Issa

Date Introduced: April 04, 2006

      WHEREAS, Water is essential for human life. The health and welfare of our citizens

and the economic well-being of this state require government to safeguard the public’s supply of

quality drinking water and the infrastructure that delivers this essential product; and

       WHEREAS, The Providence Journal recently reported that three youths tampered with the

water supply that services Blackstone, Massachusetts and a portion of North Smithfield, Rhode

Island. The water district’s 9,000 customers were warned not to drink or use their water until

further tests were completed and the safety of the water was checked; and

       WHEREAS, The Block Island Water Company, Bristol County Water Authority,

Cumberland Water Department, East Providence Public Works, East Smithfield Water District,

Greenville Water District, Harrisville Fire District, Jamestown Water Division, Johnston Water

Control Facility, Kent County Water Authority, Kingston Water District, Lincoln Water

Commission, Narragansett Water Department, Newport Water Works, North Kingstown Water

Department, North Smithfield Water Department, North Tiverton Fire District, Pascoag Utility

District, and the Pawtucket Water Supply Board oversee the safety and distribution of drinking

water to Rhode Island homes in their respective jurisdictions; and

       WHEREAS, Various State agencies and departments also have a role in maintaining the

safety and security of our drinking water supplies. They include the Department of Health, the

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Drinking Water Quality, Homeland

Security Exercise & Evaluation Program, as well as federal, state and local authorities and law

enforcement; and

       WHEREAS, With almost twenty water suppliers and a myriad of state departments and

agencies sharing responsibility for the security of Rhode Island’s water supply, there still exist

ways and means for possible sabotage to our drinking water to occur, as evidenced by the

aforementioned report in the Providence Journal; now, therefore be it

       RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby urges the Office of Drinking Water Quality, in conjunction with all other relevant

departments, agencies, and water suppliers, to establish and implement measures that will

improve the security of Rhode Island’s drinking water supply; and be it further

       RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, the Rhode Island Office of Drinking Water

Quality, and the coordinator of the Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program.

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LC02932

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