The Value of Water
Water: What You Pay For
Find out how your water travels from source to tap, and learn how your water bill funds the people, plants and pipes that make this happen.
Safe, Reliable Water Every Day
Every time you turn on the tap, you expect clean, safe drinking water to be available instantly. Delivering that water requires a complex system of wells, pumps, treatment facilities, storage tanks, pipelines, and dedicated professionals working around the clock.
The Southington Water Department is committed to providing high-quality drinking water while protecting our community's water resources for future generations.
Where Does Your Water Come From?
The Southington Water Department supplies drinking water primarily from local groundwater wells. Groundwater is naturally filtered as it moves through sand, gravel, and rock formations before being pumped to the surface.
Before reaching your home or business, the water is:
- Pumped from protected groundwater sources.
- Treated to meet all state and federal drinking water standards.
- Continuously monitored for water quality.
- Stored in elevated tanks and reservoirs.
- Delivered through hundreds of miles of underground water mains.
Every gallon delivered is carefully managed to ensure safety, reliability, and adequate fire protection.
More Than Just Water
Your water bill supports much more than the water flowing from your faucet. It helps fund:
- Drinking water treatment and disinfection.
- Routine laboratory testing and water quality monitoring.
- Maintenance and replacement of water mains.
- Pumps, storage tanks, and booster stations.
- Hydrant maintenance for fire protection.
- Emergency repairs and 24-hour response.
- Infrastructure improvements and future system upgrades.
- Compliance with state and federal drinking water regulations.
These investments help ensure dependable service every day of the year.
Water Is a Valuable Resource
Although Connecticut generally receives adequate rainfall, clean drinking water is not unlimited. Groundwater aquifers recharge naturally, but periods of drought, increased demand, and changing weather patterns can place additional stress on local water supplies.
Using water wisely helps:
- Protect groundwater resources.
- Reduce energy required for pumping and treatment.
- Delay the need for costly infrastructure expansions.
- Maintain reliable service during periods of drought.
- Preserve water resources for future generations.
The Cost of Delivering Water
The water itself is only a small part of what is delivered to your home. Behind every gallon is an extensive network of infrastructure that requires continual maintenance and investment.
Your water service depends on:
- Production wells
- Water treatment facilities
- Storage tanks and reservoirs
- Booster pumping stations
- Underground water mains
- Service lines
- Fire hydrants
- Water quality laboratories
- Skilled operators and maintenance personnel
Maintaining this system is essential to providing safe and reliable drinking water every day.
Every Customer Makes a Difference
Small changes in water use can have a significant impact across the community. Repairing leaks, using water-efficient fixtures, and following seasonal watering recommendations help reduce unnecessary demand and protect our shared water resources.
Conservation is a partnership between the Southington Water Department and every customer we serve.
"Did You Know?"
- Water is delivered to more than 14,000 service connections throughout Southington.
- SWD maintains approximately 200 miles of public water mains.
- More than 1,500 public fire hydrants help protect our community.
- Water quality is tested regularly to ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.
- Our operators and field crews are on call 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies.
Our Commitment
The Southington Water Department is committed to:
- Delivering safe, high-quality drinking water.
- Maintaining and improving our infrastructure.
- Protecting public health.
- Promoting responsible water use.
- Investing in the long-term sustainability of our water system.
By working together, we can ensure that Southington continues to enjoy a reliable and sustainable drinking water supply for generations to come.