Aquarion to Divert Water from Cannondale

WILTON, CT — The town is looking into an application that Aquarion filed with the state for a water diversion permit, the News Times is reporting.

Aquarion has submitted an application with the state to remove one million gallons of water per day from a well in Cannondale at 3 Cannon Road, where there is a large aquifer.

The town has retained attorney Stephen Studor, with the law firm Berchem Moses, who has experience with water diversion applications.

According to a memo from Studer posted on the town website, "it is presently unlawful to divert waters of the state without first obtaining a permit from the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ("DEEP"). The proposal by the Aquarion Water Company ("Aquarion") to pump up to 1 million gallons of groundwater daily from the Cannondale aquifer is not exempt under the Act and constitutes a diversion which requires a permit."

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The memo goes on to say that DEEP has has 180 days after receipt of the application to review it, at which point the agency must notify the Wilton first selectwoman and the chairmen of the Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands Commission that the application is complete. DEEP must hold a public hearing on the application, uness it determines that the water diversion is necessary; won't significantly affect longholding-range water resource management or the environment; and won't impair proper management and use of the state's water resources. If DEEP does decide to waive the requirememnt for a public hearing, it must publish that decision, and the public has 30 days to present a petition to force a public hearing.

No indication has been given as to why or where the water would be diverted.

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