Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 65.2
Rhode Island Well-Drilling, Pump Installers, and Water-Filtration Contractors Licensing Law

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-2

§ 5-65.2-2. Definitions.

When used in this chapter:

(1) “Alter” means the replacing, changing, or repairing of any portion of the existing wells, water-supply systems, water-treatment systems, water-filtration systems, or pumps and the terms “alteration” and “altering” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) “Appurtenance” means and includes wells, pumps, filtration or treatment systems, or other devices installed therewith.

(3) “Board” means the contractors’ registration and licensing board.

(4) “Electrical work” means the limited electrical installation, connection, and services from a drop/wall switch, as supplied by a properly licensed electrician for water-supply systems, water-filtration systems, water-treatment systems, and pump installations. Contractors, as defined herein, may perform this limited electrical work. This definition shall not exclude or prevent any properly licensed electrician from performing this work.

(5) “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, limited-liability company, joint venture, or organization, or any combination thereof.

(6) “Plumbing work” means the limited plumbing necessary for the installation of water-supply systems, pumps, water-filtration systems, and water-treatment systems. Contractors as defined herein may perform this limited plumbing work. This definition shall not exclude or prevent any properly licensed plumber from performing this work.

(7) “Pump installer” means a person licensed by the contractors’ registration and licensing board who is employed in the placement and preparation for operation of pumps and pumping equipment and materials utilized in withdrawing or obtaining water for water-supply distribution lines, including all construction involved in making entrance to the well and establishing such seals and safeguards as may be necessary to protect such water from contamination and all construction involved in connecting such wells and pumping units or pressure tanks in the water-supply systems of structures served by such well, including repair and servicing to any existing installation.

(8) “Pumps and pumping equipment” means any equipment or materials utilized, or intended for use, in transferring, pressurizing, withdrawing, or obtaining groundwater supply including, but not limited to, seals, tanks, fittings, and controls.

(9) “Residential water-filtration/treatment-system contractor” means a person licensed by the contractors’ registration and licensing board to engage in the business of the placement and preparation for operation and service of residential water-filtration and water-treatment systems, equipment, devices, materials, and safeguards as may be necessary to protect such water from contamination and all construction involved in connecting such filtration/treatment systems to water-supply systems, including repair to any existing installation. Licensed residential water-filtration contractors are permitted to work on piping up to one and one-half inches (1.5") in diameter with a flow rate not to exceed eighty gallons (80 gals.) per minute.

(10) “Residential water-filtration/treatment-system installer” means a person licensed by the contractors’ registration and licensing board who is employed by a residential water-filtration/treatment-system contractor, as defined in this chapter, in the placement and preparation for operation of residential water-filtration and water-treatment systems, equipment, devices, materials, and safeguards as may be necessary to protect such water from contamination and all construction involved in connecting such filtration/treatment systems to water-supply systems, including repair or service to any existing installation. Licensed residential water-filtration/treatment-system installers are permitted to work on piping up to one and one-half inches (1.5") in diameter with a flow rate not to exceed eighty gallons (80 gals.) per minute.

(11) “Water-filtration system” means any appurtenance, equipment, or device for processing water to modify, enhance, or improve its quality for water supply.

(12) “Water-supply system” means and includes any apparatus, equipment, water service pipes, water distribution pipes, and the necessary connecting pipes, control valves, and all appurtenances adjacent to the structure or premises, including the supply of water to the main water distribution line, geothermal, and all other water needs that require storage, pumping, treatment, filtration, or alteration in any way.

(13) “Water-treatment system” means any appurtenance, equipment, or device used for the continuous disinfection, continuous treatment, and removal of contaminants from the water supply.

(14) “Well” means an artificial sanitary excavation or opening in the ground by which groundwater can be obtained or through which it flows under natural pressure or is artificially withdrawn; and for the purposes of this chapter attached as an appurtenance to a building or structure.

(15) “Well contractor” means well-drilling contractors, pump installers, and residential water-filtration/treatment-system contractors, or those contractors who engage in the installation, removal, alteration, servicing, or repair of water pumps, appurtenances, water-supply systems, water-treatment systems, or residential water-filtration systems, including all connections between wells and storage tanks.

(16) “Well-drilling contractor” means a person who is licensed by the contractors’ registration and licensing board and engages in well drilling, including the installation, alteration, removal, or repair of water-supply systems.

(17) “Well drilling” means all acts necessary for the construction, installation, or alteration of a water-supply well or to obtain water from a well or wells by drilling, or by excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven, dug, jetted, or otherwise constructed.

History of Section.
P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 17, § 6; P.L. 2016, ch. 27, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 32, § 1.