N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 1114-a

§ 1114-a. Voluntary public water system consolidation study. 1. There\nshall be established in the department, by the commissioner, a voluntary\npublic water system consolidation study designed to evaluate the\nfeasibility of the joining of public water systems in order to improve\nwater quality. Such study shall include:\n (a) the feasibility of joining of two or more public water systems to\nform one water system;\n (b) the feasibility of the consolidation of one or more public water\nsystems into a larger public water system;\n (c) the appropriate technical, managerial and financial capacity\nnecessary for consolidation, including state funding mechanisms and\nincentives that could be utilized;\n (d) potential public health impacts of consolidation, including\nability to meet legally required water quality standards and the impact\non monitoring, reporting and enforcement of drinking water standards;\n (e) appropriate and sufficient guidance from the department necessary\nfor those public water systems interested in consolidation; and\n (f) recommendations for public water systems interested in voluntary\nconsolidation.\n 2. The department shall prepare and submit a report and supporting\nmaterials to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the\nspeaker of the assembly setting forth the information gathered and\nrecommendations to the legislature by January first of the following\nyear.\n