NEWS RELEASE

March 10, 2005

            The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week announced the new rules, which would go into effect in 2006.

            “In the 14 years that I have been a member of the MDC, it has been clear that our number one priority always has been to provide our customers with the best quality drinking water in the nation at the lowest rates possible,” said Pasquale J. “Buddy” Salemi of East Hartford, Chairman of the MDC Water Bureau. “This is borne out in annual surveys conducted by groups such as the National Utility Service. In the MDC’s 75 years, it has maintained an exemplary record of complying with every state and federal drinking water standard and requirement,” he said.

            The MDC, which has no lead pipes in its system, tests its water for lead before, during and after treatment, though such testing generally is not required. In addition, the MDC voluntarily raises customer awareness by providing property owners with the results of any lead testing conducted in their home and gives advices on correction action if necessary. Also, the MDC will conduct free lead tests for customers upon request.           

The MDC is a non-profit municipal corporation chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1929. The MDC supplies water and sewer services to its eight member municipalities: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor.  The MDC also supplies treated water to the Town of Portland and portions of Glastonbury, East Granby, South Windsor and Farmington.