The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
The public can rely on quality drinking water
Having recently retired after over 34 years in the drinking water profession, I am struck by how customers and communities rely on, and can sometimes take for granted, having access to quality drinking water. Access to high-quality water is essential for life, health, recreation and public safety.
Connecticut is fortunate to have water supplies available but there is so much more required to deliver quality water to communities every day. It takes a team of skilled professionals to operate and maintain the system and significant investments by the local water utility to construct and maintain treatment systems, pipelines and storage to deliver this essential service. It requires regular water quality testing and trained service personnel to address customers' needs .
People served by public water systems deserve, and should demand, that their water provider keep its systems in sound condition. The water systems that serve us today were built generations ago by forward-thinking people who knew the importance of water in our lives and communities. As infrastructure ages and reaches the end of its useful life, it needs to be renewed.
The cost of installing a foot of water main, a mere 12 inches, is nearing $300. Replacing a mile of main in a local community costs over $1.5 million. Given that, it is easy to understand how some water utilities may postpone those investments to avoid raising rates. But that is shortsighted, and one needs to look no further than Jackson, Miss., for what can happen when water systems are neglected and in disrepair.
Failure to make timely investments ignores the real needs and puts public health and safety at risk. Infrastructure replacement needs will continue to grow and additional investments in treatment will be required to meet new mandatory water quality standards. While it may serve to delay rate increases, it ignores the benefits and value of maintaining quality water and reliable service. Delaying investments only makes things more costly and problematic in the future, increasing costs and jeopardizing the availability of safe drinking water.
I saw firsthand during my long career at Connecticut Water Co. the level of investments made by a regulated, investor-owned water utility. They work to efficiently and reliably deliver high-quality water to the tap and have shown they will not cut corners on the investments needed to serve their customers and communities. Connecticut Water invests about $60 million each year in its water systems, with about half of that on the replacement of aging, leaking or under-sized water mains. That provides for replacement of about one percent of the water mains every year or a 100-year pipe replacement cycle in the system, which is considered among the best in the nation for public water utilities.
The cost of this important work is recovered through a modest surcharge on customer bills, as approved by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, when projects are completed and in service for the benefit of customers. The incremental surcharges avoid big changes in customers' bills while still allowing for ongoing investments in the systems that serve current and future generations. Similar rate mechanisms may be needed to promote water quality investments which upgrade, improve and replace water treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards, address contaminants such as PFAS and replace lead service lines.
While increases in water rates are never popular, they allow for the investments in water systems so you can have high-quality water when you turn on the faucet, flush the toilet or take a shower. While you can switch to a generator, use a flashlight or candles if you lose power, there is no substitute for having reliable water service. Beyond the convenience, there are health and safety benefits which make tap water a value by any measure. And for most customers, the quarterly bill for all the water needed for your home is less than a typical monthly bill for electric or cable service. Tap water still costs about a penny a gallon.
For over three decades, I have worked with so many dedicated, talented people — at Connecticut Water as well as with colleagues at other water utilities, regulators and legislators. They all care deeply about safe drinking water and understand the value of quality, reliable water service. I am grateful to them and all they do to provide residents of Connecticut with such a valued resource.
When you receive your water bill, consider the true value of the water, the dedicated professionals who source, treat and deliver it to you, and the investments in water systems that have been made and continue today to consistently deliver quality water and reliable service to you. It is something you can and should be able to rely on as it truly makes a difference.
When you receive your water bill, consider the true value of the water, the dedicated professionals who source, treat and deliver it to you, and the investments in water systems that have been made and continue today to consistently deliver quality water and reliable service to you.