CT special session was a wake up call on water. Will we learn from it?

Special Session Bill SB 501 was passed by the legislature and several sections were dedicated to changing statutes that are foundational to Regional Water Authority’s (RWA) charter in order to allow RWA to submit a bid on the purchase of Aquarion Water Company.

This action would allow a Connecticut-based entity to bid on Aquarion, which is an opportunity for local control of our water resources in a market where global interests are buying up water assets across the country.

Yet this proposal caused those who have long advocated for good policy around our water resources much angst. Bringing forward a previously unraised issue that may impact a large number of utility customers and our water resources without a public process in a 48-hour special session sets an extremely bad precedent. There was no time to fully understand the issue and consult with trusted sources. It was a very poor way to consider legislation on something as important and nuanced as drinking water.

[RELATED: CT House opens path for public water authority to bid on Aquarion]

The acquisition of water assets by global interests will only increase. Ensuring we have local control over our water resources must be a priority. We shouldn’t have to do so through an emergency legislative process.

This is a wake-up call for our General Assembly that our water must remain in the public trust and that there is an incredible amount of work to be done to ensure that our water remains a public trust resource. I sincerely hope that every legislator who stood up to stress the importance of our water resources, express their dismay at making hasty decisions in special session, and called for action to make sure our water remains in local control does not forget this moment.

[RELATED: Over GOP objections, Senate passes Aquarion measure]

In order not to find ourselves in the position of making hasty decisions on a regular basis in order to protect our resources, we need to work for positive changes that ensure that water is managed for all citizens and get out of the pattern of voting down common-sense proposals for water management in order to cater to special interests.

If we continue these poor practices, our water will continue to be sold to the highest bidder. “Water rich” Connecticut will be making investors in other countries rich while we struggle to ensure there is enough water for fish and faucet in our state.

Alicea Charamut is the Executive Director of the Rivers Alliance of Connecticut .