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Hazardville testifies on tank projects, mains, PFAS and lead service lines; PURA seeks project‑status updates
Summary
PURA engineering staff pressed Hazardville Water Company on capital projects (storage tank replacement, Copper Street main), meter and generator procurements, PFAS remediation plans and lead service‑line identification. The authority ordered updates on percent complete, in‑service status and project costs.
PURA’s engineering questions focused on whether projects listed in the company’s capital plan are complete, used and useful and appropriately classified in plant‑in‑service or construction work‑in‑progress.
Company witness Robert Sherwood described a 300,000‑gallon summer tank that the company now plans to remove from service once infrastructure improvements and a planned new 1,000,000‑gallon storage tank are completed. The engineering estimate for a full replacement and site remediation (including lead paint and contaminated soil remediation) was discussed in testimony at approximately $3.4 million.
Staff also pressed details about completed mains. The Copper Street main replacement was confirmed by the company as used and useful in 2024 with an actual cost close to $183,980 after a change order (contractor bid originally lower). PURA asked the company to provide supporting bid documentation and cost controls for expedited or single‑bid projects; the company agreed to provide bid sheets and its internal planning/approval procedures for expedited sole‑source projects (Late File 19 and Late File 21).
On water quality, company witnesses confirmed PFAS detections at two wellfields and said the company is working with engineers on treatment options and has applied to DPH and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for project funding. The company noted the regulatory timeframe to achieve PFAS removal (discussed in testimony as 2029) and the possibility of seeking extensions or phased implementation depending on funding and equipment availability.
Lead service lines were discussed at length. The company said it has identified most customer‑side service lines and has approximately 130 unknown service lines on the company side; it said it will replace company‑owned segments discovered to be lead and will notify customers where customer‑side replacement is necessary. PURA ordered the company to update project exhibits with percent complete, cost to date and in‑service status for plant additions and capital projects (Late File 16).
On meters and AMR/AMR radios, the company said it replaces roughly 600 meters per year (average meter cost about $185) and that radio transmitters have a battery life of roughly 10 years; the company budgets for annual radio replacements as units fail and replaces radios only when necessary. Company representatives also described their meter testing interval (14 years) as approved by PURA.
