Bristol County Water Authority

Detailed History

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1992

Due to opposing environmental agencies the BCWA efforts in obtaining final permits for the East Bay Pipeline construction in the Providence River failed.

The State of Rhode Island requested that a Task Force be formed, composed by BCWA, several state agencies, and the City of East Providence, to evaluate the possibility of a permanent pipeline connecting Bristol County to the East Providence supply, thus eliminating the need for crossing the Providence River.

After a 6-month study, the Task Force concluded that such connection was not feasible, and that a connection into the Providence system was necessary.

The BCWA instituted a 15% reduction in Service Charge which corresponds to a decrease in water rates of 6.8%.

 

1992-93

The BCWA was successful in negotiating with all opposing environmental groups and state agencies for a new design of the pipeline through drilling under the Providence River, which would not impose any negative impact to the river and coastal lands. The BCWA was also successful in changing the size of the pipeline and the connection point into the Providence supply, thus reducing substantially the cost of the project.

This would reduce further the originally projected rate increases.

The BCWA received statewide approval for the construction of the pipeline and 100% funding approval for the rehabilitation of the Shad Pipeline and the Water Treatment Plant, thus securing not only the construction of the pipeline but also the continuing operation of its own water system. This would insure redundancy and adequacy of water needs for decades to come.

 

1994

The BCWA starts the construction of the East Bay Pipeline, with a 4-year construction schedule, and starts the Engineering of the Shad Pipeline.

The BCWA starts re-organizing its staff which leads to savings of more than $100,000 per year by the year 1995.

This reduces further the originally projected rate increase.

 

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