Media Releases, Notices, Other Information and Downloads

Current Regional Water Authority Media Releases are shown below. Each media release shows the full text of the media release along with a link to download a PDF version.

Water Authority Implements New Customer Information System

NEW HAVEN – The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) is upgrading its current customer service and billing software to SAP, a recognized global business and technology leader.

“With customers having higher expectations of their service providers, the new system will allow the Regional Water Authority to streamline processes to provide a better customer experience by increasing the quality, reliability, and speed of information they receive,” commented Janet Ryan, Vice President of Service and Technology.

“The need to implement a new system was not only driven by the RWA’s strategic decision to begin to upgrade its technology, but also the desire to have all customer accounts on one information system platform. Since RWA acquired the Birmingham water utility in 2008, it has operated a separate customer information system for those 9,500 customer accounts pending the implementation of the new SAP system,” Ryan noted.

The RWA began planning the implementation of the new system during 2008 and has been working on its implementation, along with HCL AXON, since April 2009. HCL AXON is a global consultancy focused exclusively on the provision of SAP services and solutions for its clients. The first day the system will be operational is September 7, 2010. It will allow all of the Authority’s customers to access the Interactive Voice Response system and the on-line based options for bill review and payment. Once the system is in place, it will reduce the amount of time needed to resolve customer questions.

“This two-year project represents a significant strategic, operational, and financial commitment to using technology to improve RWA’s business processes. At a cost of about $13 million and some 10 percent of the staff dedicated to the effort, it is the largest information technology project the RWA has ever undertaken,” said Larry Bingaman, the RWA’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“The customer and billing project represents the first phase of an enterprise-wide implementation of SAP, an integrated business software platform that will serve as the foundation of our commitment to continuous improvement,” Bingaman said.

The RWA’s Customer Service Department will be closed from close of business Tuesday, August 31, to Friday, September 3rd. During this same period, access to online and interactive telephone self service options will also be suspended. Once RWA’s offices reopen on Tuesday, September 7, following the weekend and Labor Day Holiday, self service options will again be available. If a customer requires immediate attention, or is an emergency, such as no water or a flooding condition, an RWA customer representative or its answering service will provide a temporary service channel.

“While the Customer Service Department is going through cutover and in the days following the transition, customers may have to wait longer on the telephone due to call volume; however, we will handle the calls as quickly as possible by either our customer service representatives or by RWA’s answering service. Emergency calls will continue to be handled as a priority,” said Ryan.

The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority supplies water and related services to more than 400,000 consumers in 20 communities in the region. It owns and protects over 27,000 acres of watershed land.

Download Deer Check Station Application Form as a PDF.

Media Advisory–Discolored Water:

As reported the last two days, the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority continues to receive questions from consumers about discolored water coming from their taps, although the frequency of consumer calls has declined.

The very warm weather has driven up demand for water. The higher flows of water through the water mains have stirred up sediments, similar to when fire hydrants are flushed. Rain predicted for Saturday will likely lesson the demand for water, but there may continue to be isolated pockets of discolored water in the area as the system clears itself. Running water in an attempt to flush your home system will not clear the discoloration of the water.

Consumers can help us by following Governor Rell’s requests to avoid unnecessary water usage such as watering lawns, washing cars at home or running ornamental fountains. Additionally because widespread illegal hydrant openings have contributed to the high flows of water, please call your local fire department if you see an open hydrant. We are working closely with local fire departments as needed to limit the illegal fire hydrant openings, which appears to be having a positive effect in reducing water demand.

While unappealing, the water is not harmful. It is a personal choice whether or not to use the discolored water for showering, cleaning floors, etc. To drink or cook with lightly discolored water, fill a container, put it in your refrigerator to cool and let the color settle to the bottom. When ready to drink or cook, use the clear water from the top of the container. You should use caution if you wash clothes, especially light colored ones.

We continue to monitor the situation closely. If the situation warrants, we will provide updates as necessary. If consumers have other questions, they may call 203-562-4020.

Deer Check Station Application Form

We will run a check station at Lake Gaillard for the entire deer season in 2010.  To ensure we cover all days, we will guarantee a spot in our 2011 hunt to those who put in one day at the check station.

Download Deer Check Station Application Form as a PDF.

Watershed Fund Awards Scholarships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2010

CONTACT: Kate Powell at (203) 401-2738

NEW HAVEN – Twenty-three students from the greater New Haven region received college scholarships from The Watershed Fund, a non-profit organization established by the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority. Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing a degree in environmental science and who reside in one of the towns or cities in the Regional Water Authority’s district. The awards, which total $42,400, include one David Silverstone Leadership Scholarship...(cont.)

For full media release, please  download the PDF below:

Download full media release as a PDF

HazWaste Central Opens Celebrating 21st Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2010

CONTACT: Kate Powell at (203) 401-2738

HazWaste Central, the state’s first permanent collection center for household chemicals, opens May 15. Located in the parking lot of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority at 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven, the center provides the proper and free disposal of household chemicals. The center will be open every Saturday except during holiday weekends from 9 a.m. until noon through October. Anyone from the HazWaste Central member communities can come and dispose of waste.

Last year alone, HazWaste Central collected over 94,000 gallons of waste from 7,500 area residents. The goal of HazWaste Central is to offer the residents of its 16 member communities a safe and convenient way to dispose of environmentally damaging chemicals.  Many chemicals, which are volatile and toxic, can pollute the land if put in with regular garbage or pollute waterways if washed down sinks or storm drains.

Each weekend, local residents can volunteer at their “home town days.”  This Saturday, May 15, is Branford’s home town day, and volunteers from Branford are encouraged to be hosts to help greet and direct visitors. For more information about HazWaste Central, to get a schedule of home town days or to volunteer, contact Lori Vitagliano at 203-401-2712.

The communities served by HazWaste Central are Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Fairfield, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge.  

Download this media release as a PDF.

Lake Watrous Dam Modifications To Begin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2010

CONTACT: Kate Powell at (203) 401-2738

NEW HAVEN – A project to make modifications to the Lake Watrous dam in Woodbridge will begin by mid-March.
During the next few months as construction work is underway at the Lake Watrous dam, motorists should be aware there will be an increase in truck traffic entering and leaving Regional Water Authority property from Route 69.  Signage will be posted by the contractor on Route 69 advising motorists of trucks entering and leaving the roadway. The majority of the truck traffic will subside by June.
The construction area will be visible from Downs Road near the intersection with Litchfield Turnpike. The activity will include raising the slope of the earthen embankment downstream of the dam and completion of concrete repairs and safety upgrades. 

The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority provides water to more than 116,000 customers in 15 towns and owns more 27,000 acres of land in 22 towns.

Download this media release as a PDF.