Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to carpetbaggers

Cries of The Boy Who Cried Wolf this summer echoed through the halls of CT’s capitol dome, when several elected officials called an Emergency and special session to advance Eversource’s sale of Aquarion to the New Haven-office of the Regional Water Authority. Now, an examination of the facts has raised troubling environmental, financial, and privacy questions regarding the deal. It appears to be the result of a multiyear plan between the two parties. The results are far-reaching, notably with nearly one million residents in the 23 towns of Fairfield County to cede their water rights against their wishes and without consent to RWA. The utilities are now in the harsh light of public scrutiny, exacerbating the lack of trust between them and their constituencies. 

Points of Note

1. The water that is within Easton town lines is first theirs to service their residents. They also have responsibilities to their friends and neighbors in the watershed.
2. Legitimacy of Aquarion: Their incorporation in Deleware in 1991 was more than a name change; it was a new company set up for acquisitions. Their mission became to acquire other water authorities, which is not what was expected of them or true to their written mission to provide clean, healthy water. 
3. Environmental impact. With one company controlling all of the water resources in Fairfield County, there is a high risk for overuse and pollution. This could lead to water shortages, contaminated drinking water, and harm to local ecosystems. 
4. Financial stability. By monopolizing the water supply, the new company will have control over pricing without any competition. This could result in higher costs for consumers and potentially unfair business practices.
5. Privacy concerns. Was any Aquarion customer information shared with RWA? It would seem that as part of their due diligence, RWA would want to see customer data. Or, if they were ready to purchase Aquarion for nearly $2 billion without due diligence into Aquarion’s portfolio, the condition of the pipes or other factors, that is a lack of fiduciary responsibility. Either way, customers were mis-served.
6. Holistic audit. Want audits of all the water authorities up to time of Aquarion acquisition. Spreadsheets with customer records, including financials and all account information. Communications between Australia, Eversource, New Haven, PURA and other parties around 2017 acquisition as well as announcement exiting the market. 
7. Security: Proof that they have not only followed physical security but cybersecurity best practices. 
8. Financial Settlement
1. Legal liabilities
1. Exposure for environmental transgressions of the past. Major health liabilities, includuing decades of environmental injustices, partuclarly in Bridgeport. 
2. Current conditions of pipes. They are responsible for the condition of everything, back to 200-year old pipes throughout Bport, for example.
2. White House Executive Orders
1. 2023. EA14096. Revitalizes America’s commitment to environmental justice
2. 2021. EA 14008. Addresses the climate crisis and environmental justice
3. 1994. EA 12898.  Established policies for environmental justice, esp. In low-income and minority communities

Notes: 

 Click here for the video. 

Timeline: 

As Bridgeport grew into CT’s largest city, the water distribution system expanded, with the city with various owners, dams and pipes, most notably creating the Easton Reservoir from the Mill Plain River. 

1991: Aquarion files articles of incorporation in Delaware. It is not a name change from Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, but a change in mission and charter. Filtering and distributing water became the commodity; the vehicle was as an entity for aquisitions

2000: Aquarion sold to a British company. 

Since 2011, Aquarion has purchased and integrated 87 water systems through 28 different transactions. RWA did much of the same thing. 

2017: Eversource CEO Joe Nolan announces they are “in” the water business and purchases Aquarion for $1.65 billion from the financial arm of Macquarie, an Austrialian mining company. 

2024: Eversource announces they need the money and are “out” of water, selling Aquarion to RWA

People’s Authority Bill of Rights

1. Right to water. No member of our community should ever be denied this essential service, either through starting service or terminating it. If it is  a financial hardship issue, then it is our responsibility to help them, not an inhumane act as denying them water. 
2. Right to local control. That’s what this country was founded on. Then we have a strong Federal government and weak state governments. Local control over water rights is essential for managing resources sustainably and ensuring that the needs of the community are met. It allows local authorities to allocate and regulate water use based on specific regional requirements and priorities. By maintaining local control, communities can address unique environmental concerns, support agricultural activities, and manage water distribution effectively. However, this responsibility also comes with obligations to balance the demands of various stakeholders, protect ecosystems, and ensure equitable access. Without local control, there can be a loss of autonomy, leading to decisions that might not align with the best interests of the local population and environment.
3. Right to trust our suppliers, service providers and partners. Transparency is essential in ensuring the public’s trust in their water utility company. We have the right to access information regarding the utility’s operations, financials, and decision-making processes. This includes annual reports on ESG and DEI initiatives, as well as regular updates on any projects or changes that may impact us. That entity exists to serve the public, not make a profit. Revisit court decision that allowed shareholder value considerations to drive decisions, at the public’s expense. Now pay top dollar for environmental devastation and foreign control of our valuable and highly sensitive utilities, from beginning to end.
4. Right to have clean, healthy water at the lowest possible cost overall 
5. Right to prioritize climate and environmental concerns
6. Right to support our firmly held beliefs, for instance the public should not be forced to patronize an entity that has terrible environmnental or human rights records.
7. Right to follow Environmental, Social and Governance. The People’s Authority Bill of Rights recognizes the public’s right to expect their water utility company to lead in best practices for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). This means that the utility should prioritize sustainability, transparency, and accountability in its operations. The utility should also work to minimize its environmental impact, invest in renewable energy sources, and promote social equity. By embracing ESG principles, the utility can help create a more sustainable and just future for all. 

• Right to adopt DEI best practices The utility must also commit to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) best practices. This means actively promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, implementing equitable policies and procedures, and addressing systemic inequalities within the industry. The People’s Authority Bill of Rights recognizes that diversity is not only necessary for a fair society, but it also leads to better decision-making and innovation.