Read the full stored bill text
H7872
2026 -- H 7872
========
LC005192
========
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
Introduced By:
Representatives Kennedy, Cotter, and Azzinaro
Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026
Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Section 46-13-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-13 entitled "Public
2
Drinking Water Supply" is hereby amended to read as follows:
3
46-13-10. Correction of unsafe conditions.
4
When the water from a public water supply system is not safe, potable, or is subject to
5
contamination as determined by the director, the person maintaining the public water supply system
6
shall take immediate action to correct sanitary defects, improve operation, provide necessary water
7
treatment, or make any other changes or additions necessary to provide safe and potable water.
8
Failure to do so, within the time limits set by the director under the rules and regulations
9
promulgated by the department of health pursuant to § 46-13-18, and after the hearing provided by
10
§ 46-13-12, shall result in a civil penalty not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
11
Each day of non-compliance shall constitute a separate violation.
12
SECTION 2. Chapter 46-13 of the General Laws entitled "Public Drinking Water Supply"
13
is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
14
46-13-23. Penalties for extended service interruptions.
15
Any public water supplier that fails to restore continuous service to at least ninety percent
16
(90%) of affected customers within four (4) hours after an unplanned outage, unless caused by
17
force majeure, shall pay a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per customer for each
18
additional hour of delay, up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per customer, per day. Said fines shall
19
be deposited into the general fund and shall in no way limit recovery of other fines and recovered
1
damages. The director of health may adjust or waive the civil penalty based on hardship, or
2
noncompliance for reasons beyond the reasonable control of the water supplier acting in good faith.
3
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC005192
========
LC005192 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
***
1
This act would establish civil penalties for extended service interruptions by water
2
suppliers. These penalties would be in addition to other available remedies and damages.
3
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC005192
========
LC005192 - Page 3 of 3