Groton Utilities is proud to share exciting news about a major water system upgrade that will benefit every customer we serve - while also supporting the mission of Naval Submarine Base New London.
Thanks to a nearly $5.8 million federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grant, the region is moving forward with the Groton Connecticut Water Supply Infrastructure Improvement Project, a partnership between Groton Utilities, the U.S. Navy, and the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments.
This investment will replace more than 2 miles of nearly 100-year-old Military Highway water main - an essential line that delivers clean, dependable water to the Submarine Base and to our broader community. Once complete, this project will strengthen reliability, improve water pressure stability, and reduce vulnerabilities for about 40,000 Groton Utilities water customers, including many military families who live off-base.
Strengthening Both Community and National Security
The U.S. Navy depends on Groton Utilities’ water every day for ship support, housing, training, and emergency fire protection. Reliable water isn’t a convenience on base - it’s mission-critical.
Local leaders feel the same sense of importance. Congressman Joe Courtney celebrated the award as “great news for Submarine Base New London and the entire Groton community,” emphasizing that strong water infrastructure is central to both economic development and military readiness. And Groton’s Director of Utilities, Ron Gaudet, summed it up by saying “the whole region will benefit for years to come.”
It’s worth asking: how many communities can say their local water system helps support the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet? Groton can — and that’s something to be proud of.
What This Project Will Deliver
Reliability for Now and the Future: Replacing a century-old water main dramatically reduces the risk of breaks and service interruptions. It also improves pressure stabilization and boosts reliability for homes, schools, and businesses across our service area.
Resilience for SUBASE and the Community: A stable water supply supports submarine maintenance, daily base operations, fire suppression needs, and emergency response for the entire region.
Smart, Coordinated Planning: This DCIP investment reflects years of partnership between Groton Utilities, SUBASE, SECOG, and state and federal leaders. It aligns with ongoing improvements at SUBASE, including recent pier expansions and microgrid upgrades.
Construction Coming Soon: Construction is expected to begin in September 2026. The project will take approximately two years to complete.