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PFAS remediation and capital program drive part of AWA's near‑term plans; RWA patent and technology spending noted
Summary
Company witnesses told the PURA hearing that substantial capital investment and technology upgrades—including PFAS treatment projects—are planned for Aquarion’s system; witnesses also said RWA has a pending patent for an innovative PFAS treatment and that separate technology spending of roughly $37–$39 million through 2029 was in the exhibits.
Company witnesses and interveners at the PURA hearing discussed PFAS remediation and the capital program that the acquiring authority (AWA) intends to implement after acquisition.
Lede: Applicants said Aquarion will continue its capital program and that AWA plans substantial investments to address PFAS and other infrastructure needs; company witnesses identified projected technology spending of roughly $37–39 million through 2029 and said an RWA‑developed PFAS treatment patent is pending and under consideration.
Nut Graf: Both applicant testimony and interrogatory exhibits list PFAS and other treatment projects as necessary, regardless of ownership. Company witnesses said those projects are part of the 10‑year capital plan that drives the early rate modeling; municipal officials emphasized the projects’ public health importance and asked for clarity on funding and the patented technology’s availability and licensing.
What the record shows - Planned PFAS projects: Interrogatory exhibits (referenced at the hearing as OCC 76 attachment 1) list Aquarion Connecticut PFAS projects and costs; company witnesses said the projects were necessary independent of any change in ownership. - Technology spending: Company answers cited an estimated $37,000,000 of technology spending through 2029; witnesses noted an alternate figure in other exhibits near $39,000,000 and described the difference as timing (the parties agreed to provide updated exhibits clarifying the timing and totals). - RWA patent: Company witnesses said RWA has a pending patent for an innovative PFAS treatment; they acknowledged the patent is still pending and that monetization/licensing details remain to be determined. Municipal officials asked whether proprietary ownership of a treatment method would limit AWA or towns’ ability to obtain lower‑cost treatment alternatives.
Public health and operational concerns Municipal witnesses said Aquarion has historically invested in maintaining water quality and that towns rely on consistent, prompt system upgrades. Several municipal witnesses described experience with wellheads or local treatment issues and stressed the social equity implications: many lower‑income or senior households receive service through Aquarion mains and are sensitive to rate increases tied to treatment costs.
Company commitments and open questions Applicants said the capital program for PFAS and other system needs is integrated into the 10‑year capital plan and that AWA will continue Aquarion’s capital planning, but they also acknowledged the need to provide additional documentation on timing and budget phasing (company witnesses agreed to provide late‑file information and clarified that some components—patent monetization, for example—remain under evaluation).
Ending: PURA will consider updated exhibits and may request further technical and financial detail on PFAS project phasing, treatment options and any intellectual property arrangements before finalizing findings on the transaction’s effect on service and rates.
