§31-15A-6. Powers, duties and responsibilities of the council generally; comprehensive assessment.

(a) In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this article, the council is granted, has and may exercise all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate the purposes and intent of this article. The council shall have the power and capacity to:

(1) Provide consultation services to project sponsors in connection with the planning, acquisition, improvement, construction or development of any infrastructure project or project;

(2) Periodically prepare a list of infrastructure projects or projects which cannot meet the established funding guidelines of the various state infrastructure agencies, other than the Housing Development Fund, but which are consistent with the mandates of this article and recommend to the Water Development Authority that it make a grant or loan to the project sponsors from the infrastructure fund to finance the cost of one or more such projects or infrastructure projects;

(3) Do all other acts necessary and proper to carry out the powers expressly granted to the authority in this article; and

(4) Make and execute contracts, commitments and obligations and other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers.

(b) The council shall develop a comprehensive statewide inventory of water supply systems and sewage treatment systems and an assessment of current and future needs. The assessment shall identify the areas of the state which do not have adequate public water or sewage systems and offer recommendations for the construction of new facilities or the extension or expansion of existing facilities to meet the identified needs. The council shall include in the assessment an identification of the obstacles, issues and problems which prevent or inhibit development of adequate infrastructure throughout the state, including financial, governmental, physical, or geographical factors and make recommendation as the council considers appropriate regarding the obstacles, issues or problems identified. This comprehensive inventory and assessment shall be updated at least once in every three-year period after the initial assessment and inventory is completed in 1996.

(c) The council shall study the viability of the consolidation of public service districts throughout the state. The council shall report their findings and conclusions on or before January 16, 1995 to the Governor, Speaker of the House of Delegates and President of the Senate.