CT Water completes last major restoration project related to last year’s historic flooding

SOUTHBURY, CT (WFSB) - Connecticut Water said it completed its last major restoration project related to last year’s historic flooding.

It said on Thursday that it brought a 12-inch water main in Southbury back into service.

CT Water said raging floodwaters washed away portions of Old Field Road in Southbury and the water main during the Aug. 18, 2024 storm.

Due to the extent of the damage in that area, restoration efforts required coordination with the town, which continued work to repair the roadway. While the system could continue to provide drinking water service to customers in the area, the large, 12-inch main contributed to the fire protection needs of Southbury.

“When faced with an unprecedented and extreme weather event, our team of water professionals demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the communities we serve, using their experience and expertise to keep water flowing,” said Craig Patla, president, Connecticut Water.

In addition to the main, extreme flooding of the Pomperaug River required two wells at Heritage Village in Southbury to be temporarily taken offline as floodwaters encroached. The wells were brought back online after water quality testing confirmed that no contamination was present.

Flooding also washed out a portion of Old Waterbury Road in Southbury, triggering severe erosion near a newly constructed booster station at the bottom of a slope next to the road — exposing newly installed water mains, burying fire hydrants under sediment and causing sediment to build up against the building. Connecticut Water construction crews and contractors worked to stabilize the slope, rebuild a perimeter fence, and clean up the site.

In 2025, Connecticut Water said it expects to invest $75 million on water treatment, storage and distribution infrastructure across the state to improve quality and reliability for customers.