§ 1114-a. Voluntary public water system consolidation study. 1. There shall be established in the department, by the commissioner, a voluntary public water system consolidation study designed to evaluate the feasibility of the joining of public water systems in order to improve water quality. Such study shall include:

(a) the feasibility of joining of two or more public water systems to form one water system;

(b) the feasibility of the consolidation of one or more public water systems into a larger public water system;

(c) the appropriate technical, managerial and financial capacity necessary for consolidation, including state funding mechanisms and incentives that could be utilized;

(d) potential public health impacts of consolidation, including ability to meet legally required water quality standards and the impact on monitoring, reporting and enforcement of drinking water standards;

(e) appropriate and sufficient guidance from the department necessary for those public water systems interested in consolidation; and

(f) recommendations for public water systems interested in voluntary consolidation. 2. The department shall prepare and submit a report and supporting materials to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly setting forth the information gathered and recommendations to the legislature by January first of the following year.