BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Three Connecticut water companies and a Bridgeport-based plumbing firm have joined forces to provide 2,880, 2.5-gallon water containers that will be used to help transport drinking water to Central American communities ravaged by Hurricane Mitch. The effort, spearheaded by Aquarion President and Chief Executive Officer Richard K. Schmidt, will help carry clean water to nearly 3,000 thousand families in Managua, Nicaragua.
Aquarion, based in Bridgeport, is the parent company of BHC Company, one of this nation's 10 largest investor-owned water utilities. Other participating water companies are Connecticut Water Company of Clinton and the Regional Water Authority of New Raven. Standard Plumbing of Bridgeport also has joined the effort.
A host of communities in Central America have been devastated by Hurricane Mitch, which has killed thousands and left thousands more homeless and desperate. Ralph Money, executive director of the Bridgeport chapter of the American Red Cross, noted that clean water is available in Central America. However, disaster relief officials have very limited means of getting it from distribution points to the people.
International Red Cross Officials said the containers arrived in Miami and were shipped to Nicaragua.
"I credit the leadership and generosity of Dr. Schmidt and the employee team of BHC Company for recognizing a need and moving quickly to fill that need -- in this case, in the area that they know best -- clean, pure water," Money said.
Schmidt, who called upon other water companies to help, said, "We all know how critical an abundance of clean, high-quality drinking water is to the quality of life -- and to life itself. I am pleased that Aquarion was able to spark the cooperation to deliver this precious resource to our neighbors in Central American."
Marshall T. Chiaraluce, President and CEO of Connecticut Water Company, also noted that in Connecticut we are fortunate to have an adequate supply of clean, safe drinking water. "It is difficult for us to imagine what it is like for the hurricane victims who have not had safe drinking water for weeks. We are pleased to be able to provide some relief for their drinking water needs."
Regional Water Authority President and CEO John Crawford added, "Our mission at RWA is to provide the best possible water service to our consumers. But we also have a moral obligation to help meet the needs of people in other areas of the country who are not as blessed."
Steven Duboys, co-owner of Standard Plumbing, said not only was he pleased to fulfill a need -- he also enjoys partnering with Aquarion to help support those who are less fortunate -- whether the company is helping to transport water to hurricane-devastated areas abroad or help feed others through local food drives.
A major utility subsidiary of Aquarion Company (NYSE:WTR), BHC serves a population of about 500,000 through retail and wholesale operations in 24 cities and towns in three Connecticut counties. It is the largest investor- owned water company operating in New England and is one of the ten largest in the U.S.
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