Section 490-RICR-00-00-7.6 - Eligible Expenditures from the Bank Water Quality Protection Charge FundA. This section applies to water quality protection charge funds remitted to the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank pursuant to the Act and R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-12.2, which shall be held by the Bank in the Bank WQPC Fund.B. The Bank may withdraw, and the Board and/or Board Staff may request from time to time, from the Bank WQPC Fund such amounts as are necessary for the administration of the Fund including but not limited to the costs of issuance of notes or bonds or other forms of indebtedness.C. Only Suppliers that withdraw water from wells, reservoirs, springs, or other original sources in potable quality shall be entitled to disbursement of funds from the Bank WQPC Fund pursuant to the Act.D. Eligible Expenditures for Suppliers1. Suppliers shall be required to expend Bank WQPC Fund monies and related bond proceeds in accordance with the Act.2. Not less than 55% of Bank WQPC Fund monies shall be spent for the acquisition of land or rights in land or physical improvements to acquired land required to protect the quality of raw water in the water supply system. The following costs shall be included as part of the 55% requirement:a. Expenditures for maintenance, administration, related property surveys and appraisals, and payment of taxes.b. Acquisition of watershed lands located within or outside the state.c. Reimbursements for a maximum of 40% of the total cost to prepare water supply system management plans.d. Reimbursements for monies spent for eligible projects under this section which closed on or after March 1, 2015 shall be eligible for funding from the Bank WQPC Fund and shall be included as part of the 55% requirement.3. Any remaining funds may be used for the construction of physical improvements that directly protect the quality and safety of public drinking water supply:a. As set forth on a Board approved water quality improvements project list, which may be amended from time to time by the Board.b. A supplier may appeal to the Board for consideration of projects not on the list. The Board or the Board Staff as set forth in these regulations shall make the final determination regarding the eligibility of water safety and quality improvements.c. No funds shall be used to extend service lines, to expand system capacity, or to install and maintain customarily applied water supply improvements.4. Preparation and updates of water supply system management plans and property surveys and appraisals related to eligible land acquisition may be reimbursed or paid from the Bank WQPC Fund monies.E. Prior to disbursement of Bank WQPC Fund monies including related note or bond proceeds to a supplier, the supplier must fully comply with the Water Supply System Management Planning Act. R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-15.3, as amended.490 R.I. Code R. 490-RICR-00-00-7.6
Amended effective 12/19/2018
Amended effective 2/14/2019