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Aquarion Water Company, Town of Fairfield, and Environmental Groups Announce Agreement to Protect Rivers While Meeting Water Supply Needs

Dec 13, 2021 by Peter Fazekas Connecticut

Expanded pipeline will bring more water to southwest Fairfield County while preserving rivers and streams

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. – December 13, 2021 – Aquarion Water Company today announced that the company has reached an agreement to enhance water supplies in southwestern Fairfield County while preserving local rivers and streams.  The agreement is the result of collaboration between the company and the Town of Fairfield and its Conservation Commission, Fairfielders Protecting Land and Neighborhoods, the Lake Hills Association, Inc., and the Mill River Wetland Committee.  

The agreement was reached in conjunction with the final approval from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) of a diversion permit for Aquarion’s Southwest Regional Pipeline (SWRP).  The diversion permit will help Aquarion ensure adequate water supply for Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, and New Canaan, CT.  The four municipalities will now comprise their own region, the Southwest Fairfield County Region (SWFCR), within Aquarion’s service territory.  Aquarion will be able to divert a maximum of 14.2 million gallons per day from its Greater Bridgeport System to the SWFCR, an increase over the prior limit of  7.26 million gallons per day.

“The challenge of limited water resources in southwest Fairfield County has been an important problem to solve,” said Aquarion President Donald Morrissey.  “We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with the Town of Fairfield and leading environmental organizations from the community that will help us ensure the reliable delivery of high quality water to Greenwich, Stamford, Darien and New Canaan not just in the near term, but for decades to come.”

As part of the agreement, Aquarion has committed to providing funding to the U.S. Geological Survey to maintain a flow gauge on the Mill River in Fairfield for the 25-year term of the diversion permit.  This flow gauge will help ensure sufficient water remains in in the Mill River to fully support aquatic life and fish habitats.

“I’m pleased we were able to work with Aquarion to address important issues around reliable water infrastructure and toward developing those resources in a way that balances Fairfield’s drinking water needs with protection of the environment,” said First Selectwoman Kupchick.  “Under the agreement we’ve reached, streamflow standards will be adhered to, protecting the ecology of rivers and streams in our communities. We fought for the best interest of the Town of Fairfield and think the agreement with the addition of the gauge, will be a positive result for all parties.”

About Aquarion Water Company

Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply company for more than 750,000 people in 72 cities and towns in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  It is the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and among the seven largest in the U.S.  Based in Bridgeport, CT, Aquarion has been in the public water supply business since 1857.  Across its operations, Aquarion strives to act as a responsible steward of the environment and to assist the communities it serves in promoting sustainable practices.  Aquarion Water Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource.