Shenipsit Lake Stream Flow Releases Are Years Ahead Of Schedule

TOLLAND/HARTFORD COUNTIES, CT — Connecticut Water Co. Wednesday said it is initiating years ahead of schedule stream flow releases designed to improve the environment downstream of the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir.

The release honors a commitment to downstream ecosystems well before statutory requirements, water company officials said.

In the case of the Shenipsit Lake, the stream flow releases into the Hockanum River have been implemented four years ahead of the date required by state regulations, utility officials said.

Stream flow releases are planned releases of a prescribed volume of water from reservoirs into the downstream waters to support ecosystems and "the releases balance the needs of human use of water for public water supply for drinking and domestic purposes, fire and public safety, irrigation, businesses and industry with those of fish, wildlife and other biota that also rely upon the availability of water to sustain healthy, natural communities," water company officials said. "Early adoption of required stream flow release requirements means that beginning this fall the rivers downstream of our Shenipsit reservoir will more closely mimic natural flow conditions that will support a thriving habitat."

Maureen Westbrook, president of Connecticut Water said, "The Company felt this was a meaningful way to demonstrate our ongoing efforts to meet the needs of providing safe reliable water for our customers and communities while serving the environment and preserving the water resources in the state."

In addition, the company has been conducting aggressive leak detection programs to reduce lost water in its systems and recently received approval from the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for rates that are designed to promote water conservation as well as discounted rates for income eligible customers, officials said.

Stream flow release regulations were developed following a lengthy stakeholder review process that sought to ensure that the release requirements provided the necessary balance for public water supply and environmental needs. Following adoption of the regulations, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) established stream flow classifications across the state to indicate which bodies of water are subject to releases, and at what levels. In the event that drought may cause concerns for the amount of water available for the public water supply, stream flow release plan alterations have been developed.

While the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir (Vernon, Tolland, and Ellington) release plans have already been implemented, Connecticut Water will be conducting similar releases at some of its other surface water supply sources in the coming years.

More information on DEEP’s Stream Flow Standards can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Water/Stream-Flow-Standards/Connecticut-Stream-Flow-Standards

About Connecticut Water Company: Connecticut Water is a public water and wastewater utility regulated by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority that provides water service to more than 350,000 people in 60 Connecticut communities and wastewater service to 10,000 people in Southbury, Connecticut.

The towns served are Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Haddam, Hebron, Killingly, Killingworth, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Oxford, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Southbury, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook, Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock.