Title 46
Waters and Navigation

Chapter 15.3
Public Drinking Water Supply System Protection

R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-15.3-7.6

§ 46-15.3-7.6. Expeditious review of water supply system management plans.

(a) The water resources board shall coordinate the expeditious review of water supply system management plans, replacements and amendments thereto prepared by water suppliers and all other subject to § 46-15.3-5.1 of this chapter.

(b) Upon filing of water supply system management plans, replacements and amendments thereto prepared by water suppliers under this chapter the department of environmental management, the department of health, the division of planning of the department of administration, and the division of public utilities and carriers, shall have ninety (90) days to review said filings and submit comments thereon to the water resources board.

(c) Upon consideration of written comments by all agencies designated herein the water resources board shall determine whether the plan complies with the requirements of this chapter. Should any reviewing agency find that substantive deficiencies prevent the water supply system management plan from meeting the requirements of this chapter, a determination of noncompliance shall be made by the water resources board. This determination, unless otherwise extended pursuant to this chapter, shall be made within one hundred eighty (180) days of the initial submission. A thirty (30) day public comment period shall be included in this one hundred eighty (180) day review period. Failure by the water resources board to notify the water supplier or municipality of its determination within said time limit shall constitute approval.

(d) Should the water resources board find that the water supply system management plan is in noncompliance, or deficient due to incorrect, inconsistent or missing data or information but is in substantial compliance with the objectives of this chapter, the water resources board shall issue a first notice of deficiencies. The water supplier or municipality shall have one hundred and twenty (120) days within which to correct the deficiencies and resubmit its filing addressing the comments of the water resources board. Thereafter the water resources board shall have ninety (90) days from the date of the resubmission to determine whether or not the new submission is in compliance with this chapter. Failure by the water resources board to notify the water supplier of its determination, in writing within ninety (90) days of the date of resubmission shall constitute acknowledgement of compliance.

(e) Upon the submission of plans or plan amendments prior to the scheduled submittal date, as established by the water resources board, the scheduled submittal date may be used for purposes of initiating the one hundred eighty (180) day review period. The time period for review of water supply system management plans, replacements, or amendments thereto submitted after the scheduled submittal date, shall be as determined by the water resources board.

History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 360, § 3; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 51.