“We are delighted to expand our customer base into Orange County,” said Robert J. Iacullo, chief operating officer of United Water’s regulated operations. “South County Water and Sewer has earned the respect of its customers, who will find that we are equally committed to supplying high quality water and dependable service.”

"South County Water Corporation's customers will now benefit from the resources of a larger, well-managed water utility that has committed itself not only to making improvements to the water systems, but also to freezing current rates for another year," Iacullo said. "We agreed with the Public Service Commission to freeze water rates for one year and make a number of improvements to the five water systems. The most significant improvement will be the installation of a new water filtration system at Sterling Lake by the fall of this year.

Lou Heimbach, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Sterling Forest LLC, which founded Sterling Forest Water Corporation in 1961, the predecessor of South County, said of the agreement, “Among the many sensitivities that arose in selling businesses with such an important place in our history is that the purchaser would continue to provide the highest level of service to our existing customers and it would become our water provider at Sterling Forge Estates, our estate home development. We are satisfied that United Water is the right provider for our customers and that their commitment to quality is exemplary.”

Sterling Forest LLC is one of the longest-tenured of Tuxedo’s businesses — managing the development and use of as much as 22,000 acres of land over more than 50 years until it began selling large parcels as parkland in 1989. The company has developed some 230 homes, one million square feet of commercial space, a ski center, and water and sewage utilities, and currently holds two development parcels.

United Water, one of the largest water services companies in the U.S., provides water and wastewater service to more than 7.5 million people. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Suez Environmental (NYSE:SZE), the world’s leader in water and wastewater management services, serving more than 115 million people in over 130 countries.