Artesian Water Company Completes Major Water Main Projects in Delaware

NEWARK, Del., Dec. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Artesian Water Company, a subsidiary of Artesian Resources Corporation (Nasdaq: ARTNA), announced that it recently has completed nine projects in New Castle County and Sussex County, Delaware, investing nearly $5 million in eight water main replacements and a new installation.

"In order to ensure our customers receive the highly reliable service they expect, Artesian undertook the nine projects over the course of 4 months.  With the design work completed, the approvals obtained from various state agencies, and with the contractors assigned, the projects proceeded on course," said John Thaeder, Senior Vice President.  The projects resulted in the installation of 35,000 feet, or nearly 7 miles, of water main and specifically were:

• Townsend to Old State Road – new installation of 13,000 feet of 12-inch water main and 10 fire hydrants to connect Artesian's water service in areas east of Route 1 in southern New Castle County to its integrated water system serving northern and southern New Castle County, thus improving water supply reliability and fire protection capabilities
• Duross Heights – replacement of 7,033 feet of 62 year old ductile iron pipe, 82 water services and 5 fire hydrants
• Klair Estates – replacement of 6,300 feet of 58 year old ductile iron pipe, 50 water services and 4 fire hydrants
• Swanwyck – replacement of 2,200 feet of 60 year old ductile iron pipe, 28 water services and 2 fire hydrants
• Meadow Road – replacement of 1,332 feet of 48 year old ductile iron pipe, 15 water services and 2 fire hydrants
• Old Harmony Road - replacement of 2,034 feet of 52 year old ductile iron pipe, 4 water services and 2 fire hydrants
• Centreville Road – replacement of 1,494 feet of 51 year old ductile iron pipe and one fire hydrant
• Limestone Road – replacement of 898 feet of 60 year old ductile iron pipe and 8 water services
• Old Milltown Road – replacement of 700 feet of 51 year old cast iron pipe with 2 inch polyethylene pipe and 6 water services

"We strive to replace aging main within a timeframe that allows us to avoid the disruptions to service that arise from main breaks that occur once the main has reached the end of its useful life.  The completion of these current projects, where the average age of main was over 55 years old, is but one example of our commitment to our customers to always provide them with a safe and reliable water supply," said Dian C. Taylor, Chair, President and CEO of Artesian Resources Corporation.  Artesian's year to date investment in infrastructure improvements for 2013 totals $13.9 million. 

About Artesian Resources

Artesian Resources Corporation (www.artesianwater.com) operates as the holding company of wholly-owned subsidiaries offering water, wastewater services and related services on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Artesian Water Company, the principal subsidiary, is the oldest and largest investor-owned public water utility on the Delmarva Peninsula, and has been providing water service since 1905.  Artesian supplies over 7.4 billion gallons of water per year through about 1,200 miles of water main to about 300,000 people.

SOURCE Artesian Resources Corporation