Silver Golub & Teitell Files Consumer Protection Lawsuits Against Connecticut Water, Aquarion Over PFAS Contamination

October 18, 2023

Silver Golub & Teitell has filed class action complaints against Connecticut Water Company and Aquarion Water Company for knowingly supplying water contaminated with PFAS chemicals to hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents.  

Connecticut Water and Aquarion have known for years that the water they supplied to consumers was contaminated with PFAS chemicals and that the chemicals were toxic, harmful to human health, and render the water unsafe and/or non-potable, the lawsuits allege. The two companies also knew, or reasonably should have known, about technologies available to remove the chemicals from water supplies. 

“Instead of removing these harmful chemicals, Connecticut Water and Aquarion have chosen to pass on PFAS-contaminated water to their customers, putting the health of hundreds of thousands of people at risk and contaminating their bodies and their property,” Silver Golub & Teitell partner Ian Sloss said. 

Connecticut Water and Aquarion are the two largest investor-owned drinking water suppliers in Connecticut. Connecticut Water supplies an estimated 350,000 people in 60 cities and towns in the state, while Aquarion supplies over 625,000 people in 59 Connecticut cities and towns. 

Perfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFAS) are artificial chemicals that have been used in manufacturing plastics, metal coatings, clothing, furniture, adhesives and other products. They are soluble in water and persist in the environment for a long time, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” Scientific studies have associated exposure to the chemicals with decreased fertility, low birth weight, developmental delays in children, increased risk of prostate, kidney and testicular cancer, and other adverse effects on human health. 

The two lawsuits are Hoffnagle et al. v. Connecticut Water Company, No. HHD-CV-23-6175540-S, and Vincent v. Aquarion Water Company, No. FBT-CV23-6128205-S, both in the Superior Court of Connecticut. They seek class action status and relief under the Connecticut Product Liability Act and the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.