Utilities and Water Resources

Stormwater

Municipal Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study (2023)

In 2022, Ledyard, Preston, Stonington, and Waterford voluntarily participated in a study, which assessed the feasibility and of establishing stromwater utilities (also called “stormwater authorities”) in the four municipalities. Stormwater utilities may be established in any Connecticut municipality, pursuant to Section 22a-498 of the Connecticut General Statutes. A stormwater authority allows municipalities to levy stormwater user fees on owners of real property, and fund stormwater system improvements through an enterprise fund. Conventionally, stormwater system improvements are funded by property taxes, via the municipal general fund; this is often a less equitable. The study was funded by the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA).

Drinking Water

Regional Water Committee

The Regional Water Committee meets as needed to discuss, plan for, and implement measures that address drinking water quality and quantity for southeastern Connecticut’s public water systems. A notable accomplishment of the Regional Water Committee is the regionally interconnected system, which provides emergency connections to public water systems on the east and west sides of the Thames River, via a sub-fluvial pipe.

Eastern WUCC

The Eastern Water Utility Coordinating Committee geographically covers municipalities that are member of SCCOG and the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG). The Eastern WUCC is a planning body comprised of every public water system in eastern Connecticut, as well as appointed staff from SCCOG and NECCOG. Organized under the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH), the Eastern WUCC is required by State Statute to complete a Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) and establish, maintain, and modify boundaries for Exclusive Service Areas (ESAs) of utility companies. Eastern WUCC meeting information is posted to the Meetings page. Comprehensive information regarding the State’s three WUCCs is available from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Wastewater

Regional Wastewater Management Plan (2019)

In November 2018, SCCOG began a study to assess the region’s wastewater infrastructure in order to determine planning-level future needs and service challenges, as well as identify alternatives for inter- and intra-system expansion, cooperation, and improvement. This study was completed in June 2019 and adopted by the SCCOG Board in July.