Statement from First Selectman Camillo on Potential Sales of Aquarion to South Connecticut Regional Water District
On Thursday night, Aug. 22, I gave testimony at the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District’s Representative Policy Board’s public hearing on the proposed sale of Aquarion Water Company. I wanted to go on record with some of the concerns I have about the proposed sale of Aquarion to the South Central CT Regional Water Authority and I wanted to state direct questions to the Board members.
I am concerned about the potential impact this might have on Aquarion’s customers in Greenwich and I know a number of our neighboring municipalities have similar concerns. This sale could well result in higher water rates for Greenwich customers.
The facts show that Regional Water Authority customers pay about 23 percent higher rates than Aquarion customers. I am also concerned about the potential debt that the Authority would be taking on if this sale proceeds and how that potentially could result in further rate increases for customers.
In addition, if this sale goes through, the water company’s property in Greenwich would no longer be taxable because it would be owned by the South Central CT Regional Water Authority and not Aquarion. That is a potential loss of revenue for the Town and all of this must be taken into consideration before any decisions are made.
We need to look at how this sale would be structured, what the oversight process is and what kind of an impact it will have on Greenwich and all of Aquarion’s customer base. I look forward to the continued dialogue around this potential sale.
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