Noank Water Company

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 Annual 2026 NWC Report

Noank Water Company (NWC) has been working diligently to modernize our operations.

We are currently consolidating over sixty years of infrastructure records into a centralized

digital system and implementing a field map program. Using GPS technology, we can now

identify locations with six-inch accuracy, which is vital for isolating components during

emergencies.

Like many small water utilities, NWC faces significant challenges in meeting evolving

regulatory demands. Following our successful material identification project last year,

Federal and State regulators now require us to identify service materials from the water

main to the curb stop for 20% of our system to rule out lead. This is an aggressive and

expensive mandate that requires excavating portions of our streets. While we have seven

years to complete this, the financial and labor requirements are substantial.

We are fortunate to have been awarded a $1 million grant for infrastructure improvements;

however, this requires a 25% cost share from NWC before funds are released. We must

now determine how to raise this upfront capital.

Beyond infrastructure, we face a transition in leadership. Our system has been managed

for decades by dedicated part-time employees. To ensure the future of our utility, we must

find ways to offer competitive wages and benefits to attract a new generation of

credentialed professionals.

Noank is at a crossroads. We must decide if we can afford to remain an independent water

company. I have asked several community members to help develop a five-year plan to

address our immediate funding needs and evaluate our long-term viability. While we have

historically maintained some of the lowest water rates in the state, this came at the

expense of long-term capital funding. Recent rate increases have been necessary to offset

rising costs and overhead.

In the coming months, I will keep you informed and seek your input as we determine our

path forward. I am committed to preserving the character of our community and ensuring

we continue to serve you effectively.

I would like to thank our Executive Committee for their leadership, and I extend my sincere

gratitude to Frank Lewis, Chuck Toal, and our newest member, Dan Flight, for their tireless

dedication to Noank.

I look forward to a great future for our community.

Ted Rathjen, Superintendent

Noank Water Company
 

The Noank Fire District would like to extend a sincere thanks to Russ Fowler upon his retirement from the Noank Water Company for all his years of service to the Noank community. Russ served on the Zoning Commission in many capacities for close to 30 years. He served as the Water Company Superintendent for 26 years, starting in 1998. In that capacity, he handled hundreds of CBYD calls, annual hydrant flushings, water testing, and more than a few water main breaks. He also handled customer complaints/problems with good humor. His major achievement was the replacement of the Mosher Avenue Bridge. He acted as liaison to the state for the project. While it took longer than anticipated, the village now has a safe new bridge which is largely due to the persistence of Russ. In addition he ran the Harrison Morton Ward Post 115 of the American Legion. We can thank Russ for organizing our Memorial Day Parade which was sponsored by the American Legion. We all wish him a wonderful retirement and are looking forward to seeing him around Noank.