Connecticut: Water Resource Management Top Of Mind
Water is becoming an increasingly active talking point in economic development circles. Jurisdictions throughout the western states are starting to address water perceptions in their messaging, working to assure investors they have ample water supplies. As North America’s population continues to boom, food and beverage, bioscience, and manufacturing companies, among others, are increasingly looking at water availability as an important part of their site selection criteria.
Western states have a bit of a perception issue when it comes to water availability. For many states out west, water is the worry, and they are working to address water security in their area. The development of desalinization plants to help mitigate the issue, expansion of water pipelines, and state negotiations of water supply agreements with their neighbors are all becoming more common.
For the economic development industry, water has the potential to become a decisive factor in site selection as many states face growing water scarcity and the unpredictability of the impact climate change will have on their supplies.
Companies with water volume and water quality requirements are looking to minimize long-term risks and are increasingly drawn to regions where water is abundant, reliable, and clean—such as in Connecticut.
Connecticut is ranked as having the lowest water stress level in the United States (World Resources Institute, 2023) and the state presents an enormous advantage for businesses that rely on water as a critical input.
Industries like advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage production are critically reliant on a stable source of clean water to conduct business efficiently and inexpensively. Connecticut has gone to great lengths to protect this resource. It remains the only state in the nation to continue a prohibition on sewage treatment plant discharges within a watershed.
Connecticut recognizes that commitment to water integrity is not just a regulatory achievement—it translates directly into a competitive edge for businesses. Companies operating in Connecticut such as Athletic Brewing, Medtronic, and Pfizer can count on consistent water quality without needing to invest in costly filtration systems or other purification technologies often necessary in water-stressed regions.
John Walker, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Athletic Brewing in Milford, Connecticut, said, “We are fortunate to have access to an amazing supply of water in Connecticut that is both abundant and pristine. The water we receive requires very limited adjustments and enables us to reliably produce our award-winning non-alcoholic brews.”
Connecticut has a stable and high-quality water supply and is an exporter of water. For companies setting up operations in the state, there are special economic development rates for water.
Water, just like talent, is becoming top of mind for location decision makers and jurisdictions facing water insecurity. For those states experiencing severe water shortages, especially in the West, drastic and expensive solutions will need to be implemented in the coming decades. States like Connecticut that are already prepared for a water-scarce future are in a strong position to emerge as the most desirable locations for water-intensive company expansions.
Visit www.advancect.org for more information.
