Infrastructure Projects

System improvements, upgrades and projects

We are continuously working to maintain and improve the water system.  Some of the major projects we are currently working on involve the installation of new, or the replacement of existing, equipment and facilities needed to provide safe, reliable water service.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as Aquarion continues to work to improve vital water infrastructure for the area. We are pleased to share with you a summary of our work scheduled in Wilton for the remainder of 2024 and the 2025 Construction season.

The water main crew was scheduled to complete installation of the 36-inch water main through the intersection of Old Boston Road and SR 106 during school recess this summer. The new 36-inch pipe will pass under three existing South Norwalk Electric & Water (SNEW) finished water pipes. Two of the three SNEW pipes were installed in 1905 and are cast iron with lead joint pipes. These two pipes supply drinking water to a significant portion of Norwalk. Given the pipe age, material, and limited availability of 18-inch diameter pipe & fittings, failure of these pipes during or after construction of Aquarion’s project presents an unacceptable risk.

Aquarion (AWC) and SNEW jointly agree that replacing and/or paralleling SNEW’s 1905 vintage 18-inch cast iron pipes with a new pipe prior to installation of Aquarion’s new 36-inch water transmission pipe is in the best interest of AWC, CTDOT, SNEW and their residential and commercial customers in the surrounding area for numerous reasons:

• SNEW has high water demands until after the Thanksgiving Holiday (typically). If one or more of the two transmission mains broke during the installation of the AWC pipe, during the high demand time of the year, SNEW would not be able to keep up with water demands in the City of Norwalk and the City would run out of water in a matter of hours. Many of the isolation valves along the line are older and have not been routinely exercised, so the certainty of being able to close the valves in a timely manner is low.
• A failure of the 1905 pipe(s) could potentially cause a total washout of the intersection at Old Boston and SR 106.
• SNEW and AWC are both concerned that uneven settling after backfilling may lead to pipe joint leakage that could over time compromise the SNEW finished water supply and the intersection.

SNEW and AWC also agreed that to minimize risk, the replacement of the two 1905 cast iron pipes and installation of the 36-inch main at the Old Boston intersection should be delayed until after the SNEW high demand period has ended (after Thanksgiving). This proposed construction timeline (December 1 start) is outside of the CTDOT construction timeline and falls within the CTDOT Winter Maintenance Window.

What you can expect

• AWC will seek approval from CTDOT to construct the final 50 feet of 36-inch pipe during the winter maintenance season. If approved the potential dates of construction within the intersection will be posted on the AWC website and provided to the Wilton Town officials for posting on its website.
• It is anticipated that most of the Aquarion’s pipe installation at Old Boston Road will be completed by end of July 2024; except for the approximate 50 feet of 36-inch water main to be installed in December 2024 (weather permitting and if approved by CTDOT). Upon completion of pipe installation, pipe testing will occur as weather permits.
• It is also anticipated that most of SNEW’s new 24-inch water main replacing and/or paralleling the two 18-inch mains will be installed in August prior to students returning to school on August 26, 2024. Connections of each end of the 24-inch water main to the existing water mains are expected to occur in the beginning of December. Immediately following SNEW placing this main into service, Aquarion would complete the remaining 50-foot section of 36-inch main within the intersection.
• Construction hours for the proposed December pipe installation in the intersection of Old Boston Road are TBD.
• The proposed work in the intersection of Old Boston Road may require the closure of the intersection of Old Boston Road as shown on the detour plans provided below. In addition, electronic billboards will be installed to inform the public and provide daily updates during the closure.
• CTDOT will require temporary asphalt (a 1-inch overlay) be installed curb to curb from Old Boston Road to Carter Street (New Canaan) over the existing roadway from in November 2024, to create a smoother traveling surface; with permanent pavement restoration commencing in the following season.
• Traffic control, including police officers, flaggers and signage, will help maintain safe work zones and ensure unobstructed passage for emergency vehicles.
• All school bus stops will remain at their current locations. The roadway will remain open for school buses and emergency vehicles. All other vehicular traffic will follow traffic control and posted detour routes.
• For residents living within the project area, please coordinate with Traffic Control for access to your property through the work area.
• For work continuing in September, all bus stops will remain at their designated location. Also starting in September, alternating one lane of traffic will occur at every work zone on New Canaan Road.
• Aquarion and their contractors will coordinate work with DOT, town officials and individual customers, where needed.
• All Aquarion employees and contractors carry identification that they will gladly show.
• Project updates including construction status, work schedule, changes in traffic patterns and detours will be posted weekly on Aquarion’s website at www.aquarionwater.com/infrastructure-projects.

Scheduled 2024/2025 work

• In the summer of 2025, it is anticipated that the temporary asphalt will be removed, and permanent roadway repair will occur. Further information will follow January 2025.
• Water and gas pipelines will be installed in Silvermine Road (Route 106) between Carter Street and Valley Road in New Canaan for the duration of the 2024 construction season.
• Pipe crossing will occur on the existing Silvermine bridge at the New Canaan/ Wilton Town line. Further information will follow January 2025.

Working to serve you better

Aquarion Water is committed to being good neighbors while we are in your neighborhood. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact:

• Dennis Fields, Aquarion Water project representative, 203-258-6139

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