R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-61-3: Declaration of purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to authorize the cities and towns of the state to adopt ordinances creating stormwater management districts (SMD), the boundaries of which may include all or part of a city or town, as specified by such ordinance. Such ordinances shall be designated to eliminate and prevent the contamination of the state’s waters and to operate and maintain existing stormwater conveyance systems.