Planning and Development Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-325
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN CHARGES AND
REQUIRING APPROVAL FOR THE INSTALLATION OF WATER LINES AND
Title: HYDRANTS BY WATER COMPANIES.
Vote Date: 3/25/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/9/2022
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Planning and Development Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
The bill prohibits water companies from charging municipalities a fire protection charge for a
water line that is not connected to a hydrant or a water line or hydrant that is not owned or
maintained by the water company. It prohibits them from charging municipalities a linear foot
charge for a water line located on private property or installing a water line or hydrant without
first obtaining municipal approval.
Joint Favorable Substitute, Language Change: Section 1. (a) (A) Waterline that is not
connected to a fire hydrant on the street where such water line is located or a water line that
does not have a fire hydrant connected to it within the municipality. (2) a linear foot charge or
fire hydrant.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None Expressed.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
None Expressed.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
The following water companies, water authorities, towns and Boards of Water
Commissioners oppose SB 325:
Connecticut Water Works Association (CWWA)
Connecticut Water Company
Aquarion Water Company
South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority
South Norwalk Electric and Water
Jewett City Water Company
Hazardville Water Company
Town of Manchester, Water and Sewer Department, Patrick Kearney, Administrator
First Taxing District of Norwalk, Elsa Peterson Obuchowski, chair Board of Commissioners
Southington Water Department, Albert J. Fiorillo, Assistant Superintendent
This bill would exempt certain water lines and fire hydrants from assessment as part of a
water utility's fire service charges. Carving out these water lines and hydrants would require
considerable effort and resources to accomplish and fail to result in any cost savings to the
towns and municipalities. Additional infrastructure required for fire protection service adds to
the cost of initial design and construction, daily operations once in service, maintenance
during the life of the infrastructure assets and eventual infrastructure replacement. Water
distribution mains contribute to overall system requirements for fire protection regardless of
placement on private or public land and whether hydrants are added to individual water
distribution mains. Further, Section 2, would require water companies to obtain approval from
the fire marshal and chief administrative officer before installing any water line or hydrants.
Water line installations are already highly regulated by the State Department of Public Health
and PURA. Testifiers believe the proposed bill would result in unintended consequences that
could harm public safety and improperly sift costs to other customer bases. They therefore
respectfully request that the committee take no further action on this bill.
Reported by: Maureen O'Reilly Date: March 31, 2022
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