A Rhode Island town is intensifying its fight with Veolia Water over a long-running outdoor watering ban that local officials say has continued with little explanation, leaving thousands of residents under restrictions while the company fails to answer basic questions.
South Kingstown's Town Council has now voted to investigate whether the continued ban is even legal, escalating a dispute that affects everyday household water use across the community.
Here's what to know
Uprise RI reported that South Kingstown plans to issue a subpoena for Veolia staff to appear before the council after council members, meeting in executive session, unanimously backed an investigation into whether the company's outdoor-water ban is lawful. The council also told the town solicitor to prepare the subpoena.
Town officials said their frustration had mounted as Veolia failed to engage. According to the town, the company did not respond to requests to attend the meeting or explain why the restrictions were still in place despite what appeared to be an overabundance of water in town. One town official said messages left with the company went unanswered, adding, "It seems like the communication has come to a standstill with them."
According to a town official, the outright ban was expected to change on Oct. 12 to an odd-even outdoor watering schedule, allowing residents to water on alternating days instead of barring it entirely.
A town official said the town has about 9,000 water customers overall, with around two-thirds served by Veolia and roughly 3,000 by the town itself. The official added that the town still purchases its water from Veolia.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
The dispute has become especially sensitive because residents have been living under outdoor watering restrictions, with one public commenter saying there has been "no real resolution in sight."
On Sept. 22, a town official said the town asked the Public Utilities Commission to step in or otherwise review the continuing ban.
Town officials said some residents had blamed South Kingstown for not lifting the restrictions, even though Veolia imposed the ban rather than the town.
What's being done?
South Kingstown is exploring options to reduce its dependence on the company. The town's director of public services told the council that officials have issued two requests for qualifications related to the local water system.
The first is a water rate study, and the town has already selected a consultant. The director said a funding request would most likely come at the Oct. 12 meeting so the town can evaluate the effect of water-rate increases on future local rates.
The second would examine the town's South Shore wellfield and what it would take to return those wells to service. The director said the study would look at projected costs, capacity, treatment choices, operating costs for a fully built-out treatment plant, conceptual design, and permitting needs. The director added that the state Department of Health had floated a pilot study that could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and possibly $1 million.
One council member told residents about the planned order for Veolia staff to appear: "You're legally required to show up and answer questions."
Where can I learn more?
This fight in South Kingstown isn't happening in isolation. These stories cover Rhode Island watering bans, permit disputes, and other battles over who controls limited water supplies.
• In Westerly, officials banned lawn watering, car washes, and pool fills after water pressure dropped.
• North Kingstown officials put EPA on notice over a Quonset sludge plant permit dispute.
• In Pennsylvania, residents asked who is responsible after a data center strained home water access.
• A homeowner faced a forced watering order from an HOA despite drought concerns.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
