WASTEWATER FACILITIES PLANNINGPublic Information Session

August 29, 2013

Town of Clinton, CTWater Pollution Control Commission

Introductions

• First Selectman William W. Fritz Jr, and the Board of Selectmen

• Water Pollution Control Commission• CT River Area Health District – Jim Monopoli• CT Department of Energy and Environmental

Protection – Dennis Greci• Consulting Engineer CDM Smith – Kristie Wagner– N.L. Jacobson & Associates – Wade Thomas

• Consultant – Mary Jane Engle

CRAHD – Who We Are and What We Do

• Regulate On-Site Systems < 2000 gallons per day– Including site evaluations, plan review, permits,

inspections

• On-Site Sewage Disposal Program Activities– Regulate repairs, violations, abatement, property

improvement projects under Reg 19-13-b100a– Provide education and training– Approve well construction and determine potability

• CRAHD and the WPCC– Will work cooperatively to blend responsibilities as this

project moves forward

• Clinton has conducted numerous wastewater studies since the 1970s which recommended town-wide or regional solutions

• Focus of current study has evolved to looking at more localized solutions

• DEEP providing grants covering 55% of cost of current study

CT DEEP - Project History and Background

Ongoing Activities – Pumpout Ordinance

• Requires septic pump-out and inspection by a Licensed Septic Tank Cleaner at least every five years

• Cleaner must be registered with WPCC and submit report to WPCC electronically (Carmody)

• Administered by WPCC Clerk, Shirley Mickens• Approximately 5,559 septic systems in town– Sent out 2,503 postcards to property owners who have not

pumped in the past five years – 1,456 have since complied– 1,047 currently not in compliance and receiving additional

notification

Ongoing Activities – Completion of Wastewater Facilities Plan

• Wastewater Facilities Plan Goals: – Develop a comprehensive plan for wastewater

management in Clinton– Refining Areas of Concern and need for off-site treatment– Finding sites for groundwater discharge of treated

wastewater– Evaluating treatment alternatives– Balance Need with available capacity of subsurface

disposal sites• Find the most economical and effective solutions for

each area of Town

Ongoing Activities – Refining Areas of Concern

• Areas of Concern total approximately 600,000 gallons per day of wastewater (based on existing use), but nature and degree of problems vary

• Manual File Search– Reviewing historical paper files at Town Hall and CRAHD– Looking for information on soil testing, depth to

groundwater, septic failures, and anecdotal information from past site activities

– Goal is to reach educated, substantiated conclusions regarding off-site solutions or on-site improvements

– One option: improving on-site capacity by providing public water in areas currently served by wells

Ongoing Activities – Finding Sites for Groundwater Discharge of Treated Wastewater

• Looking for favorable geology

Ongoing Activities – Finding Sites for Groundwater Discharge of Treated Wastewater

• Working with property owners since 2010– Walked or tested

dozens of properties– 3-5 currently appear to

have significant potential and testing is ongoing

– Have had delays with property access and dry seasons

Ongoing Activities – Evaluating Treatment Alternatives

• Community Treatment and Disposal Facilities

Conclusion – Possible Range of Solutions

• For some areas, sewers to community treatment facilities and disposal sites– Refining areas most in need of off-site solutions and

balancing with off-site disposal capacity– Treatment facilities will provide high level of

treatment including disinfection • For some areas, enhancement of on-site systems• For some areas, inspection and monitoring of

on-site systems• Continuation of Pumpout Ordinance

Schedule for Facilities Planning

• Refinement of Needs Areas – through end of 2013• Subsurface Disposal sites testing – through mid-2014• Analysis of treatment alternatives and cost-

effectiveness of options – through end of 2014• Public Outreach and Approvals – through 2015– WPCC– CT DEEP– CRAHD

• Commence Conceptual Design – 2015/2016

– Board of Selectmen– Board of Finance– Town Residents

Thank you all for your interest and for attending!

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS