HARTFORD – Citing the Metropolitan District Commission’s (MDC) strong financial position, efficiency and management, two major credit rating agencies have given high ratings to the Metropolitan District Commission’s $26,100,000 bond issue, scheduled for sale on March 26, 2002.

Standard and Poor’s (S&P), in issuing its AA+ rating, commented on the strong credit quality of the MDC’s eight member municipalities; the MDC’s historically strong financial performance and management; the MDC’s low debt burden, and its $154.8 million five-year capital improvement program.

“The stable outlook reflects the expectation that the District will continue to maintain sound operations and solid financial performance,” S&P said.

Moody’s Investors Service’s rating was Aa1. The service stated that the strong credit quality of the MDC’s member communities, the MDC’s well-managed financial operation and well-developed capital plan formed the basis for its rating.

“Moody’s expects the District’s debt position will remain positive given the well-defined capital plan…,” the rating agency reported.

The ratings were issued in advance of the MDC’s scheduled March 26 sale of bonds to finance a variety of water and water pollution control improvement projects.

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 in Connecticut: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. In addition, the Dis-trict supplies treated water to Portland and portions of Glastonbury, East Granby, South Windsor and Farmington.

The MDC also owns and operates two three-megawatt hydroelectric power stations, one at the Goodwin Dam in Hartland and one at the Cole-brook River Dam in Colebrook. Also, the District is under contract with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority to provide transportation and waste-processing for the Mid-Connecticut Project.

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