Connecticut
Water Completes Acquisition of
South Coventry Water Supply Company
Clinton,
Connecticut, October 10, 2006 — Connecticut
Water Service Inc. (NASDAQ-GS:CTWS) announced that its regulated
public water utility subsidiary, The Connecticut Water Company,
has completed the acquisition of the South Coventry Water
Supply Company in Coventry, Connecticut in a deal valued at
approximately $240,000. Connecticut Water acquired South Coventry
Water for approximately $93,000 and assumed approximately
$147,000 in debt.
The
South Coventry Water Supply Company serves approximately 125
homes in Coventry and is located less than one mile from three
other water systems owned and operated by The Connecticut
Water Company. The South Coventry system is expected to grow
by more than 30 percent with the development of a planned
housing complex that will add 36 new customers.
Eric
W. Thornburg, Connecticut Water’s President and CEO,
says the South Coventry deal fits the company’s growth
strategy. Mr. Thornburg states, “We will continue to
pursue acquisitions that can be tucked-in to our operations
using existing personnel and resources while providing our
new customers with world class service.” He adds, “Aside
from acquisitions, the other elements of our growth plan include
expansion of existing water systems and growing our unregulated
businesses through contract operations and services related
to our core business.”
Since
1995, Connecticut Water has acquired twelve private water
companies and two municipal water systems in the state of
Connecticut. These acquisitions currently account for more
than 15 percent of Connecticut Water’s regulated water
utility customer base.
Connecticut Water’s unregulated subsidiary, New England
Water Utility Services, Inc., recently signed a two-year agreement
to manage and operate the water systems at University of Connecticut’s
Storrs Campus. The agreement has an option for two one-year
renewals, and the agreement is expected to generate more than
$1.75 million if it is extended for both additional terms.
The UConn agreement provides the Company with a high-profile
platform from which to build its brand and expand its services
in an area around the university that is largely not served
by public water utilities.
###
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Daniel
J. Meaney, APR
860-669-8630 Ext. 3016
Director of Corporate Communications
Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
93 West Main Street, Clinton, CT 06413-1600
Connecticut Water Service, Inc. is the largest, domestic-based,
investor-owned water utility in New England. It provides water
to over 82,000 customers in 41 towns in Connecticut, as well
as providing water-related services under contract to municipalities
and companies.
This
press release may contain certain forward-looking statements
regarding the Company’s results of operations and financial
position. These forward-looking statements are based on current
information and expectations, and are subject to risks and
uncertainties, which could cause the Company’s actual
results to differ materially from expected results.
Our
water companies are subject to various federal and state regulatory
agencies concerning water quality and environmental standards.
Generally, the water industry is materially dependent on the
adequacy of approved rates to allow for a fair rate of return
on the investment in utility plant. The ability to maintain
our operating costs at the lowest possible level while providing
good quality water service is beneficial to customers and
stockholders. Profitability is also dependent on the timeliness
and amount of rate relief, including the rate relief sought
in the company's rate case application to the DPUC filed on
July 18, 2006, and numerous factors over which we have little
or no control, such as the quantity of rainfall and temperature,
industrial demand, financing costs, energy rates, tax rates,
and stock market trends which may affect the return earned
on pension assets, and compliance with environmental and water
quality regulations. The profitability of our other revenue
sources is subject to the amount of land we have available
for sale and/or donation, the demand for the land, the continuation
of the current state tax benefits relating to the donation
of land for open space purposes, regulatory approval of land
dispositions, the demand for telecommunications antenna site
leases and the successful extensions and expansion of our
service contracts. We undertake no obligation to update or
revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events, or otherwise.
|