Electric
Norwich Public Utilities is responsible for building, maintaining and servicing the local distribution system for electricity, including substations, poles and wires. We also purchase and manage the power needed for our community.
With our hydro capacities on the Shetucket River and two solar gardens in Norwich, more than 20% of NPU’s generation portfolio comes from renewable sources without our customers paying anything additional for this benefit.
Natural Gas
We build and maintain the local natural gas distribution system and purchase natural gas from wholesale suppliers. Many customers find it a more convenient choice and it is revered as cleaner burning than other fossil fuels. NPU manages approximately half a million feet of gas mains.
To find out if there is natural gas service in your area, contact NPU at 860-887-2555 or email efficiencymatters@npumail.com. If you have service questions, please call us at 860-887-2555.
PHMSA Gas Grant Project
In accordance with the United States Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR Part 192, Section 723 (§192.723) and enforcement guidance from the State of Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), Gas Pipeline Safety Unit (GPSU), NPU, as a local gas distribution company (LDC), must conduct gas leakage surveys in business districts at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year; and must conduct gas leakage surveys at least once every three (3) calendar years, but at intervals not exceeding 39 months, for all service lines outside of business districts.
NPU is working with Precision Pipeline Solutions (PPS) to perform these federally mandated safety inspections of our gas services and meters.
This is a mandatory safety inspection that will take only a few minutes to perform.
If your natural gas meter is outside of your residence, the inspection can be completed without your assistance. If you have an inside natural gas meter and are not home at the time of our visit, we will leave a doorhanger and/or card with information on how to schedule an appointment at a convenient time. Click here to learn more.
Upcoming Project
Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) has received more than $20 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHSMA) to replace aging gas lines throughout Norwich. Click here learn more about this project and the preliminary schedule.
Converting to natural gas is easy and economical
NPU has a comprehensive program that combines financial incentives with discounts on conversion costs to make the decision to switch to natural gas the logical choice. For detailed program information, call NPU at 860-887-2555, email efficiencymatters@npumail.com or click here.
Customer-owned underground gas lines:
Some of the underground natural gas piping on personal property belongs to the property owner. Customer-owned piping is defined as any buried gas line that extends away from the gas meter. Typically, customer-owned gas piping is used to supply heat and hot water to another structure, like a detached garage, but it can also be used to heat swimming pools and for cooking on a gas grill. If you have this type of gas line on your property, it is your responsibility to initiate any inspection and necessary repair or replacement of customer-owned gas piping through a qualified professional, such as a licensed heating/cooling contractor or plumber. Buried gas piping should be inspected periodically for leaks and for corrosion if the pipe is metal. If a gas leak is detected, it may be necessary to interrupt your gas service temporarily until repairs are made.
Remember to contact call before you dig (by dialing 811), a free service. It is important that you know the exact location of all buried utility lines before performing any excavation project. When excavating near buried gas piping, all excavations must be done by hand.
If you suspect a problem with any natural gas lines, call NPU’s gas emergency line at 860-887-7207.
Excess flow valve customer notification
As of April 14, 2017, a new federal regulation requires that all natural gas utilities notify customers about the availability of an optional natural gas shut-off device called an excess flow valve (EFV). For more information, click here or email NPU at EFV@npumail.com.
Natural gas meter replacement project
As part of the Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) commitment to ensuring the safety and accuracy of our natural gas services, we are conducting a series of gas meter replacements in your neighborhood. This project will involve the testing and replacement of natural gas meters for approximately 150 customers. The area includes Woods Drive, Parkwoods Drive, and Forestview Drive.
The replacement process involves briefly removing our natural gas meters for testing, installing new meters where necessary, and then relighting natural gas appliances. This procedure is essential to maintain the accuracy and reliability of your natural gas service and should take less than one hour. All of this important work will be performed by NPU’s trained professionals, following all safety protocols. Our team will be working diligently to minimize any inconvenience to our customers during this process.
Temporary service interruptions may be required while our natural gas meters are being replaced. NPU will call impacted residents and leaving door hangers with additional information on this project.
Please contact NPU’s Customer Service Center at (860) 887-2555 to set up an appointment at your earliest convenience.
We expect this important work to be completed by November 1, 2024.
Water
The residents of the City of Norwich receive water from two sources – The Dr. Charles W. Solomon Water Treatment Plant, which draws water from the Deep River Reservoir located in Colchester, and the Stony Brook Treatment Plant and Reservoir located in Montville. Additionally, there are two developable water supplies located in Norwich: the Fairview and Bog Meadow Reservoirs.
August, 2023
PFAS Testing Results
NPU is required to share with the public the result of our water testing for PFAS. According to the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection, “PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment. PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe.” To learn more about PFAS, please visit the EPA’s website.
Since March of 2022, NPU’s has tested water samples for PFAS at our Deep River or Stony Brook Reservoirs. No level of PFAS could be detected at either location by the latest equipment at an EPA-approved laboratory. NPU testing did detect an exceedance of one compound at our Norwich Town Emergency well, but it is important to understand that water from this location has not been utilized or sent to customers in over four years. The exceedance was 14.4 parts-per-tillion (PPT) and the limit is 10 ppt. NPU would not send water from this source unless it met all State standards for safety and health.
For the full report, click the attachments listed under Water services.
For downloadable residential water service installation drawings, click here.
Click Here to apply for a permit for a new water service connection or repair to an existing water service.
Click Here for more information about the NPU Water Main Break on September 27, 2023
The Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) received a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Loan to implement Advanced Metering Infrastructure Water Meter Replacement Program in the amount of $1,921,442.56. The DWSRF program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) with joint funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Connecticut. For more information on the DWSRF, please visit the DPH’s DWSRF website. This project comprises the removal and replacement of NPU’s customers’ water meters and the repair of associated service lines. This is a system-wide water meters replacement project that will be implemented in the towns being served by NPU. The project is essential to improve the reliability and accuracy of the metered water use, thereby improving the accuracy of accounted for and non-revenue water for community residents and businesses in the areas served by NPU. DWSRF programs operate around the country to provide states and communities with a low-cost financing alternative to maintain and improve the infrastructure that protects our valuable public drinking water resources nationwide. For more information on the DWSRF, please visit the DPH’s DWSRF website.
Sewer
Norwich Public Utilities maintains and operates the City’s 8.5 million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant and sanitary sewer collection system (mains and pump stations.) The wastewater treatment plant is a vital part of our City’s efforts to control pollution and protect our local water sources. The wastewater treatment plant protects public health from disease-causing bacteria and viruses. By protecting the water quality of our rivers and streams, the wastewater treatment plant allows us to enjoy the natural beauty of our community.
Every day, items are flushed down the toilet that harm the treatment process and the environment. Please review the attached flush guide for what should, and more importantly, what should not be flushed down the drain.
Click here to to apply for sewer permitTo view downloadable utility installation drawings, click here.