§ 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
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§ 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.