Willington Complex Taps into CT Water System to Thwart 'Issues'

STORRS/WILLINGTON, CT — Connecticut Water Co. on Tuesday said it has extended its pipes to two housing complexes in the area previously served by wells.

The more than 500 residents living at Rockridge Condominiums in Storrs and Willington Oaks Apartments in Willington had been experiencing water quality issues, Connecticut Water officials said. The residents had previously been served by on-site well-water systems operated by their complexes.

Connecticut Water tapped into the complexes through a water main that was installed along Route 195 in 2016 to bring a supplemental water supply to the University of Connecticut’s main campus.

“This is exactly the type of problem we were confident could be solved by extending public water service to the area, said Maureen Westbrook, Connecticut Water’s vice president for customer and regulatory affairs. "These were existing residential communities that had experienced water quality issues. These communities tied into our pipeline, at their cost, and are now receiving a reliable supply of clean, safe water.”

David Healey, managing partner of the Willington Oaks Apartments, added, “The ability to tie into Connecticut Water’s system allowed us to cost-effectively solve long-standing water supply issues. Prior to the availability of Connecticut Water’s water main, it would have been much more difficult to resolve these issues and to have confidence this was the long-term solution that we needed.”

Healey added the connection to the Connecticut Water system provides "improved fire protection."

With the supplemental supply available from Connecticut Water, University of Connecticut facilities may be served if their own supplies are off-line as necessary for planned maintenance or during dry periods, to maintain service in the event of water main breaks or equipment failure and to provide for future growth of the university, CT Water officials said.

Water from the pipeline is also used to supply Connecticut Water customers at the Rolling Hills community in Mansfield. Connecticut Water now serves approximately 300 customers in Storrs Center who were previously served by the university.

The pipeline currently serves more than 2,000 people, excluding UConn.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

To sign up for Stafford and Willington news alerts and more, click here.

To sign up for Mansfield-Storrs breaking news alerts and more, click here.