Ecolab (ECL 0.51%) has declared its latest quarterly dividend, its first of 2013. The company will disburse $0.23 per share of its common stock on April 15 to shareholders of record as of March 5.

Ecolab, a habitual dividend payer, matched the disbursement of its previous quarter, which was handed out in December. Before that, the dividend was $0.20 per share. The company typically raises its dividend at the end of every year. This disbursement has been growing steadily since mid-2003.

The water technology company pointed out in the press release announcing the move that it has paid dividends for 76 years straight.

Ecolab's new dividend annualizes to $0.92 per share. That yields 1.2% at the company's current stock price of $74.70.