In September, the Water Pollution Control Commission (WPCC) conducted planned testing in the Downtown Center area, which includes the area along West and East Main Street between John Street Extension and the Indian River. The testing occurred in two parking lots, which included drilling of auger borings, collection of soil samples, and installation of monitoring wells so that groundwater levels can be observed during future high groundwater seasons. The goal of the testing is to determine whether the soils are adequate to accept treated wastewater from the Downtown Center area for subsurface groundwater recharge.
This is an important step in planning for a long-term solution in the Downtown Center area, which will have economic benefits in addition to improving the environment and public health. The Town would like to thank the parcel owners in the Downtown for allowing the testing on their property.
In the 1990s, the Town of Clinton and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) entered into a consent order mandating that the Town develop a Wastewater Facilities Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to evaluate and address existing and potential community pollution problems related to onsite wastewater disposal (septic systems). The Town has been making progress towards a comprehensive solution by focusing on this project in the Downtown Center area.
While full implementation of the Facilities Plan is expected to take many years, the Town and WPCC sees the importance of this step towards improving our community’s groundwater resources and providing benefits for our residents and business owners.
All of the planning-phase work to date has been approved by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and partially funded via a 55% DEEP Clean Water Fund grant.
If you’re interested in getting involved in the Wastewater Pollution Control Committee, meetings are held bi-monthly at 7PM, on the second the fourth Tuesday, in the Town Hall. Currently 3 open seats are available for the Committee. If you are interested, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 860-669-9101. Questions for WPCC can be directed to WPCC@ClintonCT.org