Rhode Island General Laws Title 5. Businesses and Professions § 5-56.1-1. Declaration of intent and purpose

(a) Whereas sewage entering individual sewage disposal systems contains bacteria, viruses, other pathogens, and nutrients; and, whereas the sewage may also contain hazardous materials, including, but not limited to, cleaning fluids, paints, hobby supplies, and other hazardous household chemicals; and, whereas improperly designed or defectively installed and failing individual sewage disposal systems may degrade wetlands, groundwater, or surface waters, including drinking water sources; and, whereas the public health, the public welfare, and the environment require protection from pollutants emanating from individual sewage disposal systems; the general assembly establishes licensing requirements and responsibilities for persons involved in certain design and installation activities relating to individual sewage disposal systems.

(b) The purpose of this chapter is to establish provisions, qualifications, and procedures for licensing persons engaged in the preparation of applications, plans, certifications, and specifications for individual sewage disposal systems, also referred to as “ISDS,” for submittal to the department of environmental management.