Candidates discuss ‘septic system problems’ in Candlewood Shores

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD – As candidates seeking office in the municipal election have canvassed the Candlewood Shore peninsula over recent months, residents there have expressed concerns that they will have to pay for a sewer system to address septic system problems and water contamination.

In an October 1 e-mail message to Patch.com, Nelson Malwitz, the chairman of the Brookfield Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA), stated that a study funded 55 percent from a grant from the Connecticut Clean Water Fund indicated that “one third of the properties on the Candlewood Peninsula report septic system problems.”

He added that, “The drinking well water with 25 percent recharge from septic systems (75 percent from the lake) shows it contains Boron (a laundry wastewater contaminant) and artificial sweeteners. Also, the high nitrate levels are an indicator of septic influence.”

Malwitz wrote that an additional study has been done and will be the subject of a public hearing on November 13 at Brookfield High School (BHS).

He continued, “An owner group that is against the idea of a sewer system, has suggested that the associations on the Candlewood Peninsula police septic systems rather than have sewers imposed. That is a positive step. They also admit there is a drinking water problem. Again, association leaders propose that well water system contamination be addressed by the owners rather than arrest the septic discharge with sewers. That approach is also viewed by the WPCA as a positive step.”

Republican First Selectman Tara Carr and her Democratic opponent, former First Selectman Steve Dunn, answered a question on the possible installation of sewers in the shores peninsula on October 16 during the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce debate at BHS.

Carr, apparently referring to a Brookfield Patch story of August 31, said that Dunn “wants to pursue the [sewer] project with federal funding.”

In an August 28 interview with Brookfield Patch, Dunn said, “At some point in the future the feds or the state is going to require the town to put in sewers” in Candlewood Shores.

Brookfield Patch has reported that Dunn said some residents have said they have heard “crazy figures” as high as $150,000 per house for installation.

Brookfield Patch also reported at that time that Dunn said that based on research by himself and Board of Education Chairman Bob Belden – who is his running mate, seeking a seat as one of the Other Selectmen on the three-member board – without subsidies the fee would likely be $20,000 to $30,000 per house.

The story further stated that Dunn said he is “hoping” that some of the $1.2 trillion in federal infrastructure funding approved in 2021 can accomplish that, noting that the lake, the largest in Connecticut, is a national asset.

During the debate, Carr said, “Do you think the federal government is going to give Brookfield, Connecticut $85 million to do that?”

“I am not a proponent of the project,” she said. “It will not happen on my watch.”

Dunn commented, “At this point we are against sewers in the shores area.”

He added, “If we decide to do it, it will be up to the residents.”