News

New Haven, CT, January 31, 2018 – The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) submitted its redacted water supply plan to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) today.

The RWA is among the first water utilities in the state to do so under a new law, Public Act 17-211, that went into effect on July 1, 2017, and introduced changes to the way confidential water company information is governed under Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act.

The new law provides access to a water company’s data needed for water resource planning, while protecting sensitive water security-related information like cybersecurity measures, security manuals, emergency preparedness plans and dam specifications that could result in a public safety risk if disclosed. It requires water companies, when submitting their water supply plan or a plan update to the CT DPH, to submit a copy that redacts the information which should be protected from disclosure.

Water supply plans, including the RWA’s, must provide information to the CT DPH regarding water sources, how the company protects those sources, plans for the future, information on infrastructure and much more.

“Our water supply plan ensures that adequate data for state water resource planning is made available, while not jeopardizing the security of our public water supply system and the health and safety of our consumers,” said Ted Norris, RWA Vice President of Asset Management.