R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-39-1: Declaration of need and purpose.

It is declared that, due to the unpredictability of nature, various cities and towns in this state have been unable to supply sufficient water to meet the needs of their inhabitants, and that, from time to time, the lack of water has produced grave emergencies for which there has been no legal solution. It is further declared that it is the purpose of this chapter to alleviate this problem.