Now that Bethel residents have rejected a plan to sell the Bethel Water Department to Aquarion Water Company, town officials are outlining what happens next. 

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says that includes replacing water mains and a station on Hoyts Hill as well as constructing the South Street Pump Station, all totalling about $4.5 million.  He called the South Street facility a key piece of equipment needed to comply with new regulations taking effect in the fall.

Knickerbocker says the financing is yet to be determined, but will likely be bonded.  

The Public Utilities Commission held a meeting Monday to begin the "request for qualifications" process to get bids from engineering companies.  He expects that process to take two to three months.