Selectmen reiterate opposition to proposed RWA acquisition of Aquarion; PURA decision expected Oct. 22

The New Canaan Board of Selectmen used its Sept. 23 meeting to update the public on the town’s opposition to a proposed Regional Water Authority (RWA) acquisition of Aquarion Water.

Selectmen said New Canaan has joined Westport, Ridgefield and Fairfield in sharing legal representation costs to challenge the proposed acquisition before the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Selectmen described opposition across the Aquarion service area and said municipalities in the system are united in resistance to the transaction.

Board members said they are concerned about governance and rate impacts; they described the proposed governance structure for the combined system as granting a majority of board seats to the RWA — six seats — compared with five for Aquarion representatives. Selectmen said they expect acquisition costs and amortization to result in higher water bills for current Aquarion customers if the merger proceeds.

Selectmen also noted administrative developments at PURA: Melissa Gillette, the head of PURA, plans to step down effective Oct. 10, and the agency’s decision in the RWA–Aquarion matter is scheduled for Oct. 22, 2025. Town officials urged residents to write legislators and PURA to register concerns.

The board said the legislature’s prior action enabling the RWA’s acquisition authority had moved the matter forward without broader public hearings, and officials characterized the situation as a significant regional utility-policy issue affecting ratepayers across multiple municipalities.