There Are Many Reasons to Put the BCWA Under PUC Supervision

The hearing at the Statehouse Tueday night went well. We went in support of the bill proposed by Reps. Hearn and Gallison to have the PUC oversee the Bristol County Water Authority.

There were two people to testify against, Pasquale Delise, and Frank Nencka. Three people to testify for, Margaret Kane (OCG), Gary Morse (RISC spokesman) and myself.

An interesting factoid that was revealed is that it is NOT necessary for the Bristol County town councils to sign off on this, or submit a resolution in order for this to happen. Certainly it would be better if they did.

All three town councils have shown NO desire to change/fix/address the BCWA failings. The very fact that they have reappointed the same directors that have been there for years and years shows that they have no will to make the needed changes.

The recently exposed fact that the Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) has no accounting module in place to differentiate between the various rates charged its customers was astounding!  There is no way a report could be pulled for all commercial rates, etc.! Not only is this inefficient, it invites corruption.

We have also been working to find out what, if any, the emergency back-up plan is in case of disaster. Guess what? There is none! The BCWA has been notified in writing by the Rhode Island Water Resource Board that they must produce an emergency management component to their five-year update for the Water Supply System Management Plan by June 10. No extensions. This is a major victory!

The town councils will say that they do not want to give up control to the PUC. But they are unable/unwilling to excerise the control needed to bring the management of the BCWA into line.

I, personally, would prefer to take my chances with the PUC.