CT Agrees to Diverting Water To Supply UConn, Town of Mansfield

A state Department of Energy and Environmentail Protection Hearing Officer has recommended approval of a permit application from the CT Water Co. (CWC) to divert water from its public water supply at Shenipsit Lake Reservoir to provide additional water to the University of Connecticut and the Town of Mansfield.

The utility was seeking to divert approximately 1.85 million gallons per day from its 5 billion gallon Shenipsit Lake Reservoir to the university and town. According to the DEEP, that diversion would be the equalivent of .037 percent of the reservoir’s maximum storage levels.

The parties have 15 days to file exceptions and/or requests for oral argument. If the parties waive their right to file exceptions or none are timely filed, the Hearing Officer has the authority to reissue the recommendation as a final decision of the agency.

In the decision, the hearing officer concluded that:

“The Applicants demonstrated by a preponderance of the substantial evidence that the application and the revised draft permit, which contains provisions that are sufficient to protect the environment, comply with all relevant statutes and regulations. I recommend approval of this application and issuance of the attached revised draft permit as a final permit.”

The application and pending decision can be found here.

Patch file photo: Shenipsit Lake.