Aquarion Water Company To Acquire United Water Connecticut, Inc.
Connecticut's top-rated water utility to expand operations in five towns
Aquarion Water Company recently announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase United Water Connecticut, Inc., which serves over 21,000 residents in the Connecticut towns of Bethel, Brookfield, Newtown, New Milford, and Woodbury. With this and pending acquisitions, the company will now provide water service to more than 610,000 people in 47 cities and towns throughout the state in addition to its service territories in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
"The purchase of United Water's Connecticut operations is consistent with our strategy of growth through acquisition," Aquarion President and CEO Charles V. Firlotte said. "We are well-positioned to serve the residents of these towns with safe, high quality water and a level of customer service that has been rated the highest among all Connecticut utilities for five years in a row."
Last year, Aquarion purchased and integrated more than 27 new water systems in Connecticut, adding over 10,000 customers during 2011. With the purchase of United Water's systems, the company continues to strengthen its portfolio and improve the availability and quality of water in communities throughout the state.
Aquarion has been following its strategy of growth through acquisition by purchasing water companies throughout Connecticut, with a goal of creating, wherever possible, an integrated and unified system. The acquisition of United fills a major portion of the remaining gaps in infrastructure that have long prevented people in western Connecticut from enjoying the services, reliability and efficiencies of a regional water supplier.
As customers of Aquarion, UWCT customers will now be served by the company with the highest customer satisfaction rating of all utilities in the state of Connecticut – water, electric, gas, telephone and cable included. In addition, Aquarion has the resources needed to address the significant infrastructure investment requirements of the region.
Aquarion recently started supplying water through United Water's delivery system to the Greenridge district in Brookfield. With the completion of this acquisition, Aquarion will now be responsible for all aspects of water delivery to Greenridge residents.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to take six months.
About Aquarion Water Company:
Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply company for more than 590,000 people in 42 cities and towns throughout Connecticut, as well as serving customers in 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, Conn., it 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 as well. For more information, visit www.aquarionwater.com.
SOURCE: Aquarion Water Company