Aquarion Water Company

Aquarion Water Company. It is a regulated public water utility operating in the Northeastern United States, providing water and related services to a population of nearly 750,000. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the energy giant Eversource Energy and maintains its headquarters in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Its extensive infrastructure includes thousands of miles of water mains, numerous treatment facilities, and major reservoirs across multiple states.

History

The company traces its origins to 1857 with the founding of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, which was established to supply water to the growing industrial city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Through a series of strategic acquisitions in the 20th century, including systems in Greenwich, Connecticut and New Canaan, Connecticut, it expanded its footprint. A significant merger occurred in 2007 when it was purchased by the Macquarie Group, before being acquired by its current parent, Eversource Energy, in a major utility sector transaction finalized in 2017. This history is marked by pivotal projects like the construction of the Hemlocks Reservoir and participation in the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency.

Operations and service area

The utility's service territory spans over 50 municipalities across four states, primarily within Fairfield County and New Haven County in Connecticut. Key operational areas include the cities of Stamford, New Haven, and Greenwich, as well as towns in Suffolk County on Long Island and regions of southeastern Massachusetts. Its operations are regulated by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, and the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, ensuring compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Water sources and treatment

Aquarion relies on a diverse portfolio of water sources, primarily drawn from protected watersheds surrounding its ten major surface water reservoirs, including the Saugatuck Reservoir and the Aspetuck Reservoir. The company also utilizes groundwater from numerous wells and purchases supplemental supplies from the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority. Water undergoes rigorous treatment at facilities like the Easton Treatment Plant, employing processes such as ozonation, filtration, and chlorination to meet standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state agencies like the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Corporate structure and leadership

As a direct subsidiary of Eversource Energy, one of New England's largest energy providers, the company operates within a larger corporate framework focused on regulated utilities. Leadership is headed by President and Chief Executive Officer Donald J. Morrissey, who reports to the senior leadership of Eversource Energy. The company's governance and financial performance are overseen by its own board of directors and are subject to scrutiny from entities like the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel and the New York State Department of Public Service.

Environmental and community initiatives

The company actively manages over 15,000 acres of watershed land in partnership with organizations like the Connecticut Fund for the Environment and The Nature Conservancy. It runs prominent conservation programs such as the Aquarion Water Company Land Management Award and participates in the American Water Works Association's sustainability efforts. Community outreach includes educational partnerships with schools, support for events like the Bridgeport Bluefish games, and initiatives promoting water conservation in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Category:Water companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Bridgeport, Connecticut Category:Public utilities of Connecticut