Connecticut Water replaces nearly 10 miles of water main

CLINTON, Conn., Sept. 16, 2024 — Connecticut Water proactively replaced nearly ten miles of water main so far this year through the Water Infrastructure and Conservation Adjustment (WICA) program as part of ongoing efforts to increase reliability and quality for our customers. 

The company installed 9.8 miles of water main through 14 completed projects at a cost of $27.1 million. Nine more projects are currently under construction. 

“Normally, when our systems operate as expected, customers may not think too much about the infrastructure that brings the water to their home. Proactively replacing old water mains allows us to continue meeting the reliable service expectations of customers, now and for generations to come.” said David Peeling, P.E., vice president of Engineering at Connecticut Water. 

Replacing aging or under-sized water mains before they become a problem means our water professionals can complete the work under more controlled conditions and allows us to better plan for service needs rather than making costly repairs in an emergency situation.

Connecticut Water maintains an Infrastructure Management Plan for the nearly 1,800 miles of water main in our systems. Our water experts track the age and condition of water pipes, the frequency of main breaks, leakage and lost water, and the fire protection needs of the community in determining what water mains to replace. Company officials also consider the timing of municipal projects (like road paving) to see if there are opportunities for cost savings and commuter convenience by coordinating work with other projects.

Projects of note include the completion of the replacement of the entire Beechwood distribution system in Killingworth and the completion of all phases of replacement in downtown Naugatuck in conjunction with the Borough’s redevelopment project along Church Street, Elm Street, Water Street and Rubber Avenue.

Connecticut Water’s goal is to replace about one percent of its more than 1,850 miles of water main every year through the WICA program. The company plans to invest over $60 million in water treatment, water storage and pipelines in 2024.

WICA is an interim rate adjustment that covers the costs of replacing existing water system infrastructure. These small, semi-annual adjustments improve service to customers by proactively replacing aging infrastructure and levels-out the impact on customer rates.