§ 46-15.8-2. Legislative findings. (a) The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Rhode Island is fortunate to have sufficient precipitation to meet Rhode Island's water needs, if that water is not wasted and if it is well and fairly managed. With scarcity of water a growing concern for many southern and western states, Rhode Island's adequate water supply can and should be an economic advantage for our state;

(2) Water is a renewable but a limited resource essential to the survival of all living things. The mission of the water supply profession is to provide a reliable supply of high quality water for the protection of public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure a sustainable balance between human and ecological water needs. Environmental stewardship and integrated water resource management, including land conservation, wetlands protection, and protecting the ecological integrity of water resources, are core values of the water supply profession and are essential to sustaining this mission;

(3) Efficient and equitable management of our shared water resources allows us to make water available to new economic development as well as meet existing water needs, both of which support our state's economic vitality and the quality of life of our communities;

(4) Good management allows us to provide water for necessary residential use as well as economic growth, at the same time that we preserve and protect the natural resources that make Rhode Island such an attractive place to live, and that support important economic activity that depends upon a healthy environment, such as fisheries, farming and tourism;

(5) Rhode Island is currently consuming large amounts of water for inefficient outdoor non-agricultural summer landscape irrigation.

(6) More efficient use of our shared water supply, especially by residential users, makes more water available for economic activity and for replenishment of stream flow, and is usually the most cost-effective and quickest way to maximize available water supply. Conservation must be a priority for successful water management.

(7) Rhode Island's water supply infrastructure must be maintained if it is to continue to supply the state with clean water sufficient to meet our needs; it is far cheaper to "pay as you go" than to defer infrastructure maintenance, which will result in it being far more expensive in the future.

(8) Municipalities should consider the water available for human use and likely water needs at build out in making planning decisions.

(9) The Rhode Island Water Resources Board, as an independent water supply agency, is vital to the success of this legislation and will provide necessary balance in working toward the sustainability of Rhode Island's water resources.

History of Section. (P.L. 2009, ch. 288, § 3; P.L. 2009, ch. 341, § 3.)