The bill amends Chapter 46-15.3 of the General Laws regarding "Public Drinking Water Supply System Protection" by introducing a new section, 46-15.3-5.2, which mandates that all parties involved in the supply, transmission, and distribution of drinking water prepare, maintain, and implement a water supply resilience plan by January 1, 2026. The purpose of the resilience plan is to identify risks and provide assessments and emergency response strategies to enhance the resilience of water supply systems against natural hazards and environmental impacts. This requirement applies to water suppliers, including municipalities and other authorized entities, that handle more than 50 million gallons of water annually.

The initial risk assessment must be completed by July 1, 2026, and the results must be provided to the governor, speaker of the house, president of the senate, the director of the department of health, and the director of the department of environmental management. The assessment must include, but is not limited to, the risks to the water supply system from natural hazards, the resilience of infrastructure, financial considerations, and vulnerabilities related to the use, storage, and handling of chemicals.

The resilience plans must document coordination with other nearby water suppliers and operators of wastewater treatment facilities, align with applicable local comprehensive plans, and be integrated into the water supply plans of the municipalities served. The plans must designate responsible parties for necessary actions and the timeline for implementation. Water suppliers are required to document the effectiveness of their measures and update their assessments and response plans every three years. The act will take effect upon passage.