Aquarion Water Company

Aquarion Water Company Recognized as Second Best Place to Work in Connecticut...

Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut was recently ranked as one of the top places to work in Connecticut in a survey conducted by Hearst Connecticut Newspapers. This was the latest in a series of accolades the utility has received this year.

It began in the spring when, for the fifth year in a row, Aquarion received the highest customer service and satisfaction rating of all utilities regulated by the Connecticut Department of Utility Control (now the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority). The field included not only water companies but also electric, natural gas, cable and telephone companies.

Then came recognition from the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund for Aquarion’s leadership in reducing its carbon footprint. In presenting the award, Amy Thompson, Ph.D., a member of the state’s Energy Conservation Management Board, said, “The Fund honors companies for employing energy efficient technologies and practices. Aquarion is at the forefront of demonstrating its dedication to business and energy sustainability, and environmental stewardship.”

Most recently, in a multi-company employee survey conducted by Hearst Connecticut Newspapers, Aquarion was ranked the second best place to work. Employees gave the company high praise on more than 20 criteria, including the company’s direction, execution, working conditions, pay and benefits, and opportunity for advancement. In addition, Aquarion won top ranking among all the companies for demonstrating its appreciation for employees.

“This recognition is tremendously gratifying,” notes Charles Firlotte, President and CEO. “Best of all, these votes are coming from key constituencies, including the nearly 600,000 people whose lives we touch and sustain every day through the water we deliver.”

Firlotte is also quick to credit the breadth of Aquarion’s efforts to engage and empower employees in every aspect of the company’s mission. According to him, “We take special pride in investing in our greatest asset – our employees. From health-related programming to opportunities for growth and advancement, we strive to make Aquarion a place where people enjoy coming to work. We also understand the link between their well-being, the business we’re in and the overall health of the planet.”

Asked if there is any common component to the recognition that has come from different quarters, Firlotte cited the company’s constant focus on innovation.

“We’re fortunate to have a team here that is constantly ready to question the status quo, even when it seems to be working well. That’s enabled us to introduce fresh ideas into every area of our business, from the way we protect our water sources, to the ways we ensure the purity of the water we deliver, to how we map our distribution systems, and to how we serve and satisfy our customers.

Asked how the company would work to sustain its string of honors, Firlotte expressed confidence in the continuing yield of the programs and policies that have brought the company to where it is today. And he pointed to what he says might be the most critical factor in the company’s leadership and success.

“If you take a hard look at everything we do here you’ll see that it’s all based on respect – respect for our customers, our employees, the environment and the good name our company has earned over the decades. That’s the heritage we want to perpetuate, even as we dedicate ourselves to being constantly open and supportive of new ideas and innovation.”