R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-48-10
The qualified voters of the district, at any of the meetings of the district, have power to order taxes, and provide for assessing and collecting the taxes on the ratable real estate and tangible personal property of the district, as it deems necessary for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining a supply of water and distributing the water for the extinguishing of fire; for power, domestic, and other uses; for establishing and maintaining and constructing water works and driving wells, and operating the water works and wells; for acquiring and leasing real estate and other property and property rights necessary for a water supply, and laying and maintaining pipes, conduits, aqueducts, and other structures connected with them, and purchasing implements, machinery, and other appliances; for the payment of the current expenses of the district; for the payment of officers, employees, and other agents as the district is authorized to elect, appoint, or otherwise choose under this chapter; and for the payment of any indebtedness that has been or may be incurred by the district; and the taxes so ordered shall be assessed by the assessors of the district on the taxable inhabitants and the property in the district according to the last valuation made by the assessors of the district on the taxable inhabitants and the property in the district according to the last valuation made by the assessors of the town next previous to the assessment, adding, however, any taxable property which may have been omitted by the town assessors or afterwards acquired, and in all cases where the town assessors have included property within and without the district in one valuation, the assessors of the district shall make an equitable valuation of that portion of the property lying within the district; and in the assessing and collecting of the taxes proceedings shall be had by the officers of the district, as near as may be, as are required to be held by the corresponding officers of towns in assessing and collecting town taxes; and the collector of taxes for the district shall, for the purpose of collecting taxes assessed by the district, have the same powers and authority as are now by law conferred on collectors of taxes for towns in this state. The district may provide for a deduction, from the tax assessed against any person if paid by an appointed time, or for a penalty, by way of percentage on the tax if not paid at the appointed time, not exceeding twelve percent (12%) per annum, as it deems necessary to insure punctual payment; provided, that the tax assessed in any one year under the provisions of this section shall not exceed ten (10) mills on each dollar of the valuation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-48-10