(a) Whenever any water company intends to sell a source, potential source or abandoned source of water supply, it shall notify the Commissioner of Public Health. The commissioner shall order such company to notify, in writing, by certified mail, return receipt requested, other water companies that may reasonably be expected to utilize the source, potential source or abandoned source of its intention and the price at which it intends to sell such source. The commissioner shall determine the water companies that shall receive notice after consideration of public water supply plans filed and approved pursuant to section 25-32d and any other water system plan approved by the commissioner. No agreement to sell such source may be entered into by the water company except as hereinafter provided.

(b) Within ninety days after notice has been mailed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, a water company receiving notice of the sale pursuant to said subsection shall give notice to the water company selling the source, potential source or abandoned source of water supply by certified mail, return receipt requested, of a desire to acquire such source and such water company shall have the right to acquire the interest in such source for water supply purposes. If two or more water companies seek to acquire such source, potential source or abandoned source at the price at which it is offered, the Commissioner of Public Health shall hold a hearing to determine which company shall be allowed to acquire such source. In making his determination, the commissioner shall consider any public water supply plans filed and approved pursuant to section 25-32d, any other water system plans approved by the commissioner, the needs of each company and the efficient and effective development of public water supply in the state. The decision of the commissioner shall be subject to appeal pursuant to section 4-183 and shall have precedence in the order of trial as provided in section 52-191.

(c) If a water company fails to give notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this section by certified mail, return receipt requested, of its desire to acquire such source, potential source or abandoned source of water supply, such water company shall have waived its right to acquire the source or potential source of water supply in accordance with the terms of this section.

(d) The water company desiring to acquire the interest in the source, potential source or abandoned source of water supply shall acquire such interest within twelve months of the determination by the commissioner of which water company shall be allowed to acquire such source. If the rates of the water company acquiring such source are regulated by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the source acquired may be included in the rate base of such company at the acquisition price.

(P.A. 85-336, S. 3, 6; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Department of Public Utility Control” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Public Utilities Regulatory Authority” in Subsec. (d), effective July 1, 2011.