Massive Water System Overhaul Planned In Southington

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Local officials will hear public input Monday on a massive modernization/renovation of Southington's public water system, before deciding on it later.

The Southington Town Council has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, April 14, at 7 p.m. at the John Weichsel Municipal Center, 196 N. Main St., Southington.

There, the council will listen to public input on a four-pronged water system upgrade being planned by the Southington Water Department.

In total, the project will cost the quasi-public agency more than $14 million to complete.

According to town officials, the water project entails four components:

• $3,586,730 to design and build a new treatment building for the Southington Water Department's "Well No. 10."

• $3.5 million for general water main improvements.

• $3.5 million for Phase I of designing, building, and replacing water main pipes/connections, including those with lead piping.

• $3.5 million for Phase II of designing, building, and replacing water main pipes/connections, including those with lead piping.

After the hearing, in which anyone can offer comments, the council will vote on four separate ordinances — one for each project component — appropriating the money to the water department.

At the March 10 council meeting, water department officials presented the details of the project and the logistics behind funding it.

Southington Town Manager Alex Ricciardone said at the March 10 meeting that the water department, as a separate, quasi-public entity from the town, is not able to take on debt.

So, he explained, what happens is the town assumes the debt and is paid back by the department, adding that debt from this project is not subject to the town's bond rating.

The water department is also getting 50 percent state funding for the project, Southington Water Department Superintendent Douglas Arndt told the council last month.

For more information on the public hearing and the project, click on this link.

For the minutes of the March 10 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.