Aquarian Water Receives High Ratings from DPUC

Editor's Note: The following news release was submitted by Aquarion Water Co.

Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut (AWC) is pleased to announce that for the fifth consecutive year, the company has received the highest rating of all state utilities regulated by the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).  The 2010 Consumer Scorecard, issued by the DPUC in March, showed AWC to have the lowest number of consumer complaints not only among water utilities, but also among cable television providers, electric utilities and providers, natural gas utilities, and telephone companies. 

“We are extremely gratified by the department’s recognition of Aquarion’s efforts to provide outstanding customer service to families and businesses across Connecticut,” said Chuck Firlotte, President and CEO.  “This marks the fifth year in a row that Aquarion has received the fewest complaints among all utilities in the state.  On behalf of all of our employees that make this high level of service possible, we thank our customers and look forward to providing exemplary service for many years to come.”

John W. Betkoski III, of Beacon Falls, the vice chairman of the DPUC and lead commissioner for water issues, praised Aquarion “for achieving this record for the last five years."

The DPUC Consumer Scorecard tallies the number of consumer complaints that it receives about a regulated utility over the course of the year.  It then generates a score for each utility company using an index of the number of complaints per 100,000 customers served.  Of the 65 companies that the department ranked in 2010, AWC received a score of 2.75, which reflects five total complaints from the company’s 181,829 customers.  The next lowest score given on the 2010 Consumer Scorecard was 10.01; the highest, or most complaints per 100,000 customers was 206.61.

AWC has long made customer service an integral part of the company’s operations.  The company maintains a state-of-the-art call center with customer service representatives trained to promptly address a wide range of customers concerns.  AWC also has a staff of expert personnel who play a critical role in customer service by managing issues in the field, such as broken water mains, hydrant repairs and service interruptions.

“Over the course of our 154 year history, we have always prided ourselves on providing high quality, reliable water service to our customers,” said Firlotte.  “It’s great to know that the effort our dedicated staff continuously makes is noticed and appreciated by our customers.”

About Aquarion

Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply company for more than 580,000 people in 39 cities and towns throughout Connecticut. It is the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and among the seven largest in the U.S. Based in Bridgeport, Conn., it has been in the public water supply business since 1857. The company also serves customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Across its operations, Aquarion strives to act as a responsible steward of the environment and to assist the communities it serves in promoting sustainable practices as well.