State Rules There is Need for Water Supply Plan for Mansfield, UConn Campus

From UConn.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a Notice of Tentative Determination (NTD) regarding the Diversion Application that Connecticut Water and the University of Connecticut (UConn) jointly filed seeking approval for the delivery of water from Connecticut Water to UConn and the Town of Mansfield.

The NTD, issued today reflects the review and finding by DEEP that the application is complete and the proposed diversion 1) is necessary, 2) will not significantly affect long-range water resources management, and 3) will not impair proper management and use of the water resources of the State. The NTD includes a list of conditions that would be required for the regulated activity under the permit. Public comments will be accepted for consideration by DEEP until January 15, 2015.

The Diversion Permit application was filed in April 2014 and requested to cover a period of 25 years. The amount of water supply requested in the application was based on estimates of UConn’s and Mansfield’s projected needs through the 25 year term of the permit. Specifically, it would allow Connecticut Water to provide as much as 1.18 million gallons per day (mgd) on average and a maximum of 1.85 mgd for a peak day, although the Town and University anticipate using considerably less than that at the onset.

The request was consistent with the earlier Environmental Impact Evaluation, which concluded that the Connecticut Water proposal was the most environmentally sound and economical alternative as well as being most consistent with the State Plan of Conservation and Development.

Notice of Tentative Determination issued on Connecticut Water & UConn Diversion Permit Application

“Connecticut Water committed publicly that it would communicate throughout this project in an open transparent matter. To that end, we encourage anyone with questions on the NTD to contact David Radka at Connecticut Water at (860) 669-8630 or by dialing Connecticut Water’s customer service staff at 1-800-286-5700. You may also wish to contact DEEP with questions or provide comments to DEEP using the procedures outlined in the NTD ” said Maureen P. Westbrook, Connecticut Water’s Vice President – Customer and Regulatory Affairs. “We will continue to provide regular information to the public throughout this project.”

Prior to the filing of the Diversion Permit application last April, Connecticut Water held a public information meeting in Mansfield to explain the application and address residents’ questions. Additional public information meetings were held in Vernon and Mansfield this fall. Connecticut Water also made presentations to the Vernon Town Council and the Ellington Conservation Commission.

“We are pleased to see that the permit is being reviewed favorably by DEEP so that water service can be provided to residents and businesses in Storrs area of Mansfield. The permit has conditions designed to ensure that water service is only provided where it is consistent with the state and local plans of conservation and development,” Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart said.

Water would come from Connecticut Water’s Northern Western system, which includes the Lake Shenipsit Reservoir in the towns of Ellington, Tolland and Vernon. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 5 billion gallons and the company is currently authorized under its DEEP diversion registration to take up to 15 mgd.

The permit includes various conditions, as typically required by DEEP, that call for monitoring, reporting, and best management practices to ensure for the protection of the environment. In addition, the permit has specific provisions that will maintain the streamflow releases to the Hockanum River to protect downstream fishery habitats.

“In addition to UConn’s ongoing water conservation and reuse initiatives, this Notice is another important step forward to ensuring that there will be an adequate long-term water supply for UConn and the Storrs area,” said Jason Coite, environmental compliance manager in UConn’s Office of Environmental Policy. “We’re committed to a water solution that is both environmentally prudent and fiscally sound, and we appreciate the DEEP’s thoughtful approach to the joint application.”

The Notice of Tentative Determination is available for viewing on DEEP’s Web site here.

A fact sheet that explains key elements of the Notice of Tentative Determination can viewed here.