The Torrington City Council meeting on October 7, 2025, focused on two significant projects related to water infrastructure for fiscal year 2026. The primary discussion centered on the waterline replacements project, which aims to upgrade aging water pipes throughout the city.

Jeff Harkins presented the details of the waterline replacements project, highlighting that it will replace approximately 11,955 linear feet of outdated 4-inch ductile iron pipes with new 8-inch diameter C900 PVC water lines. The project will cover several city streets, including West B Street, West A Street, East A Street, East B Street, East C Street, and Fourteenth Avenue. Additionally, new water service connections and curb stops will be installed for residents and businesses, along with new fire hydrants.

The estimated cost for this project is $4.4 million, which the city plans to fund through a drinking water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan at a 1% interest rate over 20 years. The annual repayment for the loan is projected to be around $242,825. This initiative is part of a broader strategy outlined in the Water Master Plan, which recommends replacing undersized water mains to improve the city's water infrastructure.

Harkins noted that the city has 39,000 linear feet of these undersized pipes, and this project is a continuation of efforts to establish an annual waterline replacement program, aiming to allocate about $1 million each year towards these improvements. The construction plans are currently under design and are expected to be completed by November 2025, after which they will be submitted for review and approval by relevant agencies.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment to enhancing its water infrastructure, ensuring compliance with established recommendations, and securing necessary funding to support these vital improvements.