Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-27.3-120.3. Existing buildings

(a) Upon written request from the owner of an existing building, the building official shall issue a certificate of use and occupancy, provided there are no violations of law or orders of the building official or the fire official pending, and it is established after inspection and investigation that the alleged use of the building has heretofore existed.  Nothing in this code shall require the removal, alteration, or abandonment of, or prevent the continuance of the use and occupancy of, a lawfully existing building, unless the use is deemed to endanger public safety and welfare.  In addition, the written request from the owner of any property serviced by a private well shall be accompanied by documentation which demonstrates compliance with the drinking water testing requirements and the drinking water standard for coliform bacteria, fluoride, lead, nitrate and nitrite for private wells established by the director of health.  A city or town may require additional testing and compliance with quality standards established pursuant to subdivision 23-1-5.3(6).  Testing results which show that a private well is not in compliance with one or more of these drinking water quality standards shall be sufficient to deem the private well as a danger to public safety and welfare, and shall require corrective action before the certificate of use and occupancy can be issued.

(b) Corrective action will be required within thirty (30) days.  The property owner may appeal to the Town Building Code Board of Appeals for a ninety (90) day extension, or give other just cause why the water well should remain in service for an extended period of time.

(c) If a registered engineer or otherwise qualified professional certifies no currently available treatment system will adequately treat the water to meet the potability requirement, the property owner can appeal to the Town Building Code Board of Appeals for an exemption from the private well potability requirement until such time a public water supply becomes available.  This exemption will expire after five (5) years, renewable by appeal only.