§ 39-4-3. Investigations on complaint against utility — “Safe and potable” defined.
(a) Upon a written complaint made against any public utility by any city or town council, or by the water supply management division of the department of environmental management, or by any corporation, or by any twenty-five (25) qualified electors, that any of the rates, tolls, charges, or any joint rate or rates of any public utility are in any respect unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, or that any regulation, measurement, practice, or act whatsoever of any public utility, affecting or relating to the conveyance of persons or property, including sewage, or any service in connection therewith, or the conveyance of any telephone or telegraph message or any service in connection therewith, is in any respect unreasonable, insufficient, or unjustly discriminatory, or that any service is inadequate or cannot be obtained or is unsafe, or the public safety is endangered thereby, or in the case of drinking water that the water is either unsafe or nonpotable, or that the water supplier is in noncompliance with chapter 15.4 et seq. of title 46, the division shall proceed, with or without notice, to make such investigation as it may deem necessary or convenient. But no order affecting the rates, tolls, charges, regulations, measurements, practice, act, or service complained of shall be entered by the division without a formal public hearing. When any complaint shall be made by twenty-five (25) or more qualified electors, the complaint shall designate one of the complainants upon whom shall be served all notices, orders, and citations required by this chapter to be served upon complainants.
(b) The term “safe and potable” shall mean the suitability or fitness for human consumption of drinking water.
History of Section.P.L. 1912, ch. 795, § 18; G.L. 1923, ch. 253, § 18; G.L. 1938, ch. 122, § 15; G.L. 1956, § 39-4-3; P.L. 1971, ch. 265, § 7; P.L. 1972, ch. 205, § 6; P.L. 1977, ch. 253, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 14, § 3; P.L. 1983, ch. 235, § 4; P.L. 1995, ch. 188, § 4.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 39-4 - Hearings and Investigations
Section 39-4-1. - Investigation of personal injuries and deaths.
Section 39-4-2. - Order to repair or make changes in plant or equipment.
Section 39-4-3. - Investigations on complaint against utility — “Safe and potable” defined.
Section 39-4-4. - Notice of complaint — Time and place of hearing.
Section 39-4-5. - Notice of hearing on complaint — Right to appear and summon witnesses.
Section 39-4-6. - Separation of issues — Damage to complainant not required.
Section 39-4-7. - Hearings in locality of consumers affected.
Section 39-4-8. - Filing of contracts.
Section 39-4-9. - Orders fixing rates.
Section 39-4-10. - Orders as to unreasonable practices or inadequate services.
Section 39-4-11. - Orders as to unsafe or improper conditions.
Section 39-4-11.1. - Order to rebate or cancel charges.
Section 39-4-12. - Payment of investigation expense by utility.
Section 39-4-13. - Summary investigation by division.
Section 39-4-14. - Formal investigation — Notice to utility.
Section 39-4-15. - Notice and proceedings on motion of division.
Section 39-4-16. - Service of orders — Effective date.
Section 39-4-17. - Rescission or alteration of orders.
Section 39-4-18. - Review of grade crossing ordinances.
Section 39-4-19, 39-4-20. - [Repealed.]
Section 39-4-21. - Privilege against self-incrimination.
Section 39-4-22. - Penalties for violations.
Section 39-4-23. - Action in supreme court to prevent violations.