§ 45-48.1-7. Exclusive authority for water distribution — Contracts.
(a) The district is authorized to obtain and maintain for the district a supply of water for the extinguishing of fire and for distribution to the inhabitants of the district, for domestic use and for other purposes, and may obtain that water by the establishment of its own works, or by contracting for it as provided in subsection (c), or in any other manner that the district may deem necessary and proper, and is not inconsistent with law. The district may also furnish water to inhabitants of the towns outside of the boundaries of the district. If the district undertakes to distribute the water so obtained, it shall have the exclusive right to it, and may maintain an action against any person for using the water without the consent of the district, and may regulate the distribution and use of the water within and without the district. Nothing is this section, or any other section of this chapter, shall be construed as giving to the district an exclusive franchise to furnish water outside of the boundaries of the district.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the previous provisions as to fees, rates, rents, assessments and charges, any contract for the sale of water to inhabitants of a town outside of the boundaries of the district may be recorded in the same manner as a deed of land, and, upon the recording, the obligations of the owner of the real property involved are a lien on the property and the lien is enforceable in the same manner as taxes assessed on real estate are by law collected.
(c) The district is authorized to contract, for periods not exceeding forty (40) years, with the state, any other municipal or quasi-municipal corporation, or with the owners of any privately owned water system for the purchase or sale of water or for the use of water facilities, and the state, the other municipal or quasi-municipal corporations, and the owners of privately owned water systems are authorized to enter into contracts with the district. Notwithstanding § 39-1-2(20) of the general laws, neither the district nor its governing body shall be deemed to be a public utility, and the district and its governing body shall not be subject to chapters 1 — 5 of title 39.
History of Section.P.L. 2003, ch. 270, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 364, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 45-48.1 - West Greenwich Water District
Section 45-48.1-1. - Creation.
Section 45-48.1-2. - Composition of board.
Section 45-48.1-3. - Officers and employees of board.
Section 45-48.1-4. - Compensation of board members.
Section 45-48.1-6. - Additional powers and limitations.
Section 45-48.1-7. - Exclusive authority for water distribution — Contracts.
Section 45-48.1-8. - Condemnation power.
Section 45-48.1-10. - Issuance of bonds and notes.
Section 45-48.1-12. - Payment of bonds and notes.
Section 45-48.1-13. - Refunding bonds and notes.
Section 45-48.1-14. - Defeasance of bonds or notes.
Section 45-48.1-15. - Credit of state and municipality not pledged.
Section 45-48.1-16. - Moneys received deemed to be trust funds.
Section 45-48.1-17. - Bonds eligible for investment.
Section 45-48.1-18. - Bonds and notes issued without consent of other entities.
Section 45-48.1-19. - Tax exemption.
Section 45-48.1-20. - Malicious damage — Civil and criminal penalties.
Section 45-48.1-21. - Records — Reports — Inspection.
Section 45-48.1-22. - Termination or dissolution of district.
Section 45-48.1-23. - Inconsistent laws or ordinances inoperative.
Section 45-48.1-24. - Provisions of act controlling.
Section 45-48.1-25. - Pledge not to alter rights of district.