Bristol County Water Authority
Detailed History

1988
In 1988 the BCWA completed the design of the cross-bay pipeline, made major distribution system improvements, most notably in South Bristol's fire flow due to the new waterline on Metacom Avenue. The Authority began the permitting process for the construction of the cross-bay pipeline.
 
1989
The BCWA made significant rate reductions, 47% in the service fee for customers aged 65 and older. This would correspond to savings of $154,000 per year across the entire customer population. During the same year, the rehabilitation of over 27,000 feet of mains of the distribution system was accomplished. Progress was made in the cross-bay pipeline permitting process.
 
1990
The year 1990 saw the conclusion of successful negotiations with the City of East Providence with an agreement allowing construction of the cross-bay pipeline in that community. The Superior Court of Rhode Island issued an order requiring Cranston officials to provide the BCWA with the necessary permits to begin cross-bay pipeline construction. Additional distribution system improvements were completed. The remaining permits left for cross-bay pipeline construction were the Coastal Resources Management Council and the Army Corps of Engineers.
The BCWA institutes a 20% reduction in Service Charge which corresponds to a decrease in water rates of 10.5%.
 
1991
In the year 1991 the BCWA is successful in obtaining a State Grant of $14.8 million ($8 million more than the original grant) for the construction of the pipeline.
This would reduce substantially the originally projected rate increases.
Once the pipeline would go into operation, the BCWA would abandon its reservoir system and surface water treatment facilities.
In the same year BCWA proposed referendum for the state to absorb the full cost of the pipeline, approximately $35 million. The referendum failed.
 
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