Source: https://statutes.laws.com/delaware/title26/c013/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 12:40:24+00:00

Document:
§ 1301. Powers and duties; regulation of use of public roads and streets.
(a)(1) Every corporation organized under the provisions of Chapter 1 of Title 8 for the purpose of the production, distribution and sale of gas and also every corporation organized for the supply and distribution of water, every corporation organized for the collection and treatment of wastewater and every corporation organized for the transportation and storage of oil, in addition to the powers conferred upon corporations generally, may lay down necessary pipes, mains and conduits beneath the public roads, highways, streets, avenues and alleys of any county, city, incorporated town or district of this State.
(2) Such pipes, mains and conduits shall be laid at least 18 inches below the surface of the same and shall not in anywise unnecessarily obstruct or interfere with public travel or damage public or private property.
(3) The consent of the council, town commissioners or other persons having control over the public roads, highways, streets, avenues and alleys of the county, city, town and district wherein or through which it is contemplated to lay such pipes, mains and conduits beneath such public roads, highways, streets, avenues or alleys shall first and as a condition precedent be obtained before any such public roads, highways, streets, avenues or alleys are disturbed, opened or dug up. Such consent of such council or town commissioners or other persons having control over such roads, highways, streets, avenues and alleys shall be by ordinance of such council or commissioners duly adopted or by resolution of such persons having control over the public roads or highways, adopted at a meeting to be held not less than 30 days after notice thereof has been given by notices posted up in 5 of the most public places on the road or highway which is proposed to be used for such purposes.
(b)(1) Such use of public roads, highways or streets, avenues and alleys in any of the counties, cities, towns or districts in this State shall be subject to such terms, regulations, taxation and restrictions as may be imposed by the council, town commissioners or other persons having control over the public roads and highways of the county, city, town or district.
(2)a. The portions of the surfaces of the roads, highways, streets, avenues and alleys disturbed in laying the pipes shall be immediately restored to their original condition. Any pavements which are removed for the purpose of laying or repairing the pipes, mains and conduits shall be restored to as good condition as they were previous thereto and shall be maintained the same for 6 months after the completion of the work.
b. In case of failure on the part of the corporation to so restore and maintain the same, the street commissioner or other officer having supervision of the streets may properly restore and maintain the same, and the costs thereof may be recovered by the city or town from the corporation in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Any such corporation mentioned in this section may take lands, easements and rights-of-way for locating, constructing, maintaining and operating its pumps, pump houses and stations, tanks and reservoirs, hydrants and delivery stations and offices and for laying down its pipes, tubes, conduits, connections and branches from any points to any other points in the State and for all necessary purposes of the corporation, including the right to cross any railroad, and the right to appropriate a right-of-way and locate its pipes, tubes or conduits upon, over or under and across any lands, water, streams, rivulets, canals, roads, turnpike roads or other highways in such manner as shall not interfere with the ordinary use of the same. In crossing any rivulet or other stream the pipes, tubes and conduits shall be laid and securely suspended above flood lines or laid beneath the bed of any rivulet or other stream so crossed.
In case any corporation mentioned in this chapter desiring to acquire, occupy or use any lands in this State for its corporate use cannot agree with the owner thereof as to the terms and conditions of such acquisition, occupancy or use and the value, compensation or damages to be paid for such acquisition, occupancy or use, it may acquire, use and hold such lands by condemnation proceeding in the manner prescribed by Chapter 61 of Title 10.
§ 1303. Crossing agricultural lands.
Any gas, oil or water company which lays pipes, tubes or conduits on any lands cleared and used for agricultural purposes shall bury the same at least 24 inches below the surface if so required by the owner of the land.
§ 1304. Expansion of facilities and services of water companies in New Castle County.
Repealed by 59 Del. Laws, c. 397, § 1, eff. June 28, 1974.
§ 1305. Establishment of a State Water Supply Coordinating Council.
(a) A Water Supply Coordinating Council is hereby established.
cc. The State Climatologist or State Climatologist's designee.
(b) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control or the Secretary's designee shall serve as Chair of the Council.
(c) The Council, by majority vote, may establish subcommittees to address water supply issues and plans that do not require the full participation of the Council. The subcommittees shall report to the Council and any recommended actions shall require the approval of the Council.
§ 1306. Reports by the Water Supply Coordinating Council.
(a) The Water Resources Agency ("WRA"), the Delaware Geological Survey ("DGS"), the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control ("DNREC"), and the Division of Public Health (DPH) shall assist the Water Supply Coordinating Council ("WSCC") to help ensure the timely implementation of the projects identified in the WSCC report dated January 17, 2003.
(b) The WRA, DGS, DNREC, and DPH shall prepare periodic reports on behalf of the Water Supply Coordinating Council (WSCC) for the Governor and the General Assembly summarizing the progress towards completion of the projects identified in the report. The first report shall be submitted on or before December 31, 2003, with additional reports submitted at least annually.
§ 1307. Recovery of costs of water supply enhancement projects in rates of public utilities.
In the case of a public utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission, upon the determination by the Commission that a water supply enhancement project identified as necessary to assure adequate supply in a report of the Water Supply Coordinating Council has been placed into service by the utility and is used and useful in the provision of public utility service, the public utility shall be entitled to recover, in its rates, its reasonable and prudently incurred capital and ongoing operating costs for such project. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Commission from authorizing an allowance for funds used during construction for any such identified enhancement project.
The designation of the Water Supply Coordinating Council, and the duties and responsibilities conferred by this section shall end on January 1, 2016.

References: § 1303

§ 1304
 § 1

§ 1305

§ 1306

§ 1307