Connecticut Water Service, Inc. Plans Repurchase, Pays Dividend, and Elects Directors.

CLINTON, Conn. -- Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTWS) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the commencement of a stock repurchase program pursuant to which the Company may repurchase up to 800,000 shares, or approximately 10%, of its outstanding common stock.

The purchases will be made from time-to-time in open market, privately negotiated or other transactions, subject to price and market considerations, and applicable securities laws. No time limit was placed on the duration of the repurchase program. The extent and timing of any repurchases will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations. The shares would be purchased for general corporate purposes.

Marshall T. Chiaraluce, Connecticut Water Service, Inc. CEO and Chairman said, "This program, I believe, will be a valuable tool for increasing shareholder value. It will be an available resource to us as we manage our cash flow and evaluate various investment opportunities."

The Company also announced its shareholders voted for a slate of four directors at the Company's May 11, 2005 Annual Meeting held in Southbury, Connecticut.

Reelected to the 12-member board are Mary Ann Hanley, assistant to the President at Hartford Hospital; Mark G. Kachur, President/CEO of CUNO, Inc.; Ronald D. Lengyel, Chairman of the Naugatuck Valley Savings & Loan, SB; and David A. Lentini, CEO/Chairman of The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company.

Marshall T. Chiaraluce, Connecticut Water Service Chairman, said "These independent directors bring to the Board broad experience in financial and executive management. We are very pleased that they have been reelected to our Board of Directors" (The Chairman's presentation at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders can be seen at the Company's website: www.ctwater.com.)

Connecticut Water Service shareholders also ratified the Audit Committee's selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors for 2005.

Following the Shareholders Meeting, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly common stock dividend of $.21 a share. The record date is June 1, 2005, and the payable date is June 15, 2005. Dividends were also announced on the Company's preferred stock issues as follows:

--Preferred A (not publicly traded), quarterly dividend of $.20 per share, record date is July 1, 2005, and the payable date is July 15, 2005.

--Preferred 90 (NASDAQ:CTWSP), quarterly dividend of $.225 per shares, record date is July 15, 2005, and the payable date is July 29, 2005.

Connecticut Water Service, Inc. is the largest, domestic-based, investor-owned water utility in New England. It provides water to over 87,750 customers in 42 towns in Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as providing water-related services under contract in municipalities and companies.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding the Company's results of operations and financial position. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from expected results.

Our water companies are subject to various federal and state regulatory agencies concerning water quality and environmental standards. Generally, the water industry is materially dependent on the adequacy of approved rates to allow for a fair rate of return on the investment in utility plant. The ability to maintain our operating costs at the lowest possible level while providing good quality water service is beneficial to customers and stockholders. Profitability is also dependent on the timeliness of rate relief, when necessary, and numerous factors over which we have little or no control, such as the quantity of rainfall and temperature, industrial demand, financing costs, energy rates, tax rates, increased compliance costs related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and stock market trends which may affect the return earned on pension assets, and compliance with environmental and water quality regulations. The profitability of our other revenue sources is subject to the amount of land we have available for sale and/or donation, the demand for the land, the continuation of the current state tax benefits relating to the donation of land for open space purposes, regulatory approval of land dispositions, the demand for telecommunications antenna site leases and the successful extensions and expansion of our service contract work. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.