§ 1114-a. Voluntary public water system consolidation study. 1. There
shall be established in the department, by the commissioner, a voluntary
public water system consolidation study designed to evaluate the
feasibility of the joining of public water systems in order to improve
water quality. Such study shall include:

(a) the feasibility of joining of two or more public water systems to
form one water system;

(b) the feasibility of the consolidation of one or more public water
systems into a larger public water system;

(c) the appropriate technical, managerial and financial capacity
necessary for consolidation, including state funding mechanisms and
incentives that could be utilized;

(d) potential public health impacts of consolidation, including
ability to meet legally required water quality standards and the impact
on monitoring, reporting and enforcement of drinking water standards;

(e) appropriate and sufficient guidance from the department necessary
for those public water systems interested in consolidation; and

(f) recommendations for public water systems interested in voluntary
consolidation.

2. The department shall prepare and submit a report and supporting
materials to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the
speaker of the assembly setting forth the information gathered and
recommendations to the legislature by January first of the following
year.