Connecticut Water: No Shutoffs During Coronavirus Restrictions

CONNECTICUT, CT — Connecticut Water Co. is announcing coronavirus-related precautions that it is taking "to protect the health and safety of employees, customers and the community while continuing to deliver a reliable supply of safe drinking water." That includes suspending non-payment shutoffs.

"We are committed to providing the same vital public service we do 24/7 despite the spread of COVID-19," stated Maureen P. Westbrook, president of Connecticut Water.

Westbrook further stated, "Connecticut Water has well-established emergency contingency and business continuity plans that anticipate and address extraordinary situations like the coronavirus so that we can deliver uninterrupted service to customers and communities while protecting the health and safety of our employees, customers and the community."

Measures Taken

• In alignment with Gov. Ned Lamont's recommendation to exercise social distancing, nearly all Connecticut Water employees capable of telecommuting began working remotely on March 13. While telecommuting is not possible for some of our employees, such as the company's field service delivery personnel who monitor water supplies, operate water treatment facilities, maintain the water distribution systems and make essential customer field visits, the utility is taking extra precautions and preventive measures for those teams consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and other best practices.
• Offices are closed to visitors. Connecticut Water's phone lines are open for 24-hour emergency service at 800-286-5700. Bill payments can be made by mail, by phone or online at ctwater.com.
• In-home service appointments have been limited to only those that are essential. If utility staffers need to enter a customer's home, they will ask a few simple questions about potential exposure to the coronavirus for their and other customers' safety.
• Nonessential customer appointments, such as periodic meter changes, will be rescheduled to a later date.

Suspension Of Water Service Shutoffs

• Connecticut Water has suspended shutoffs for nonpayment until further notice "so that all customers will continue to have tap water for hand-washing and other hygiene needs to protect their health from the coronavirus." The utility is working with customers on payment arrangements if they are having trouble making full payment for their water service.

Safety Of Drinking Water

• Customers should know that "tap drinking water is not a known source of the coronavirus." According to a March 3 technical report issued by the World Health Organization, "The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water supplies, and based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low."

Customers can visit www.ctwater.com for updated information regarding our COVID-19 precautions.

Connecticut Water, Avon Water and Heritage Village Water provide water to nearly 350,000 people in 59 communities in Connecticut, and wastewater service to 10,000 people in Southbury.

The towns served are Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Hebron, Killingly, Killingworth, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Oxford, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Simsbury, Somers, Southbury, South Windsor, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook. Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock.