CLINTON, Conn., March 7, 2025 — As Connecticut Water celebrates Drinking Water Week, the company invites customers and the public to learn about where their water comes from during upcoming watershed hikes as part of Trails Day and an open house at a drinking water treatment facility. 

“Our team of local water professionals are eager to share the tools we use to protect water sources, filter and treat water to remove impurities, and test its quality,” Connecticut Water President Craig J. Patla said. “Events like these combine the fundamental building blocks of our company – customers, employees, communities and the environment. We know high-quality drinking water and reliable service are essential to our customers and the community, and this is great way to share our commitment to service.” 

Trails Day Hikes

Discover the natural beauty of watershed lands with Connecticut Water employee volunteers during two hikes on properties in Killingworth and Tolland over Connecticut Trails Day Weekend 2025 on June 7 and 8. The Connecticut Forest & Park Association coordinates Trails Day hikes in the state which, together with hike sponsors, host the largest National Trails Day celebration in the country. 

Watersheds support life in a variety of ways – from providing habitat for plants and animals living directly in the watershed to channeling water to the sources used for drinking water in homes. High quality drinking water starts at the source.  Connecticut Water owns and maintains 6,500 acres of watershed land as permanent open space to protect water sources. 

The Connecticut Department of Public Health approved hiking trails at two Connecticut Water properties so the public can enjoy the outdoors while not impacting water quality. On Trails Day, we’ll showcase the two trails, which are home to a variety of wildlife. You never know what you might see!   

Saturday, June 7 – Tolland – 10 a.m.
A 3.5 mile out and back hike in Tolland adjacent to the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir. The hike proceeds along the old railroad bed which is part of the Blue-Blazed Shenipsit Trail. Meet at the trail entrance on Route 74 across from Vern-Rock Electric (24 Tolland Stage Road, Tolland). There is no rain date for this hike.

Sunday, June 8 –  Killingworth – 10 a.m. 
This hike features a 1.5 mile loop in the Killingworth and Kelseytown Reservoir watershed area, which includes some minor hills and will cross the Menunketesuck River footbridge.  The loop trail takes hikers past Pete’s Pond and borders the Cockaponset state forest. Meet at the Platt Nature Center located at 344 Roast Meat Hill Road. There is no rain date for this hike.

Both hikes are appropriate for children and families. Dogs are permitted on the hikes as long as they are leashed. The trails are not considered handicapped accessible. For more info on Connecticut Trails Day, visit ctwoodlands.org.

Open House at William Stewart Drinking Water Treatment Facility in Naugatuck

Come see the fascinating, complicated processes involved with delivering high-quality drinking water to our customers during an open house at Connecticut Water’s William Stewart Drinking Water Treatment Facility on Thursday, June 26.

Details of the Open House:
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: William Stewart Drinking Water Treatment Facility, 119 Horton Hill Rd., Naugatuck
Photo ID: Adults must bring a government-issued photo ID
Because the facility is an operational worksite, everyone must wear closed-toe, flat shoes for their own safety. Additionally, the facility is not wheelchair accessible.

About the Stewart Water Treatment Facility:
The facility is the largest single source of drinking water for Connecticut Water customers in the Naugatuck Valley (Beacon Falls, Bethany, Middlebury, Naugatuck, and Prospect). It is a surface water treatment facility that is supplied by the Long Hill and Moody reservoirs. The treatment facility has the capacity to produce up to 6 million gallons of drinking water per day.