Aquarion Water Diversion Zoom Public Meeting Is Wednesday, Aug. 26

Aquarion Water Company is requesting to double the amount of water it moves from the Greater Bridgeport System area, including Easton, to the southwest region (Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan and Darien) with a permit to last 25 years. Interested parties may join the Zoom meeting held by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on Wednesday, Aug. 26, starting at 3 p.m. Here is the link to pre-register, which will also allow you to ask questions / make comments: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/j/95243905580.  

DEEP has received an application submitted by the Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut under section 22a-368 of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) for a permit to divert the waters of the state.  The proposed activity includes the transfer of up to 14.2 million gallons per day (mgd) of water from the applicant’s Greater Bridgeport System to its Southwest Fairfield County Region through what is known as the Southwest Regional Pipeline (SWRP). The SWRP has been in service for approximately 30 years and is currently permitted for up to 7.26 mgd. The proposed activity will take place at the boundary between the Town of Wilton and the Town of New Canaan. 

In response to the public interest, Aquarion has requested that DEEP hold an informational meeting regarding the application The meeting will provide an opportunity for Aquarion to present its application and hear questions from the public. Questions will be heard after the presentation and will be received in the order in which members register for the meeting. A hearing officer from the DEEP Office of Adjudications will be present to facilitate the meeting and respond to any questions regarding administrative processes. 

DEEP will not formally receive any public comment at this meeting, but staff will be present to respond to any questions on the review process for the application. DEEP has made no final or tentative decision regarding this application.  Once DEEP determines the application to be complete and finishes its review process, DEEP will issue a Notice of Tentative Determination, wherein an opportunity to formally receive comment will be provided.   

Members of the public should check the DEEP Calendar of Events on the DEEP website for any alterations to this meeting schedule, including additional meeting dates or cancellations. 

Interested parties may obtain digital copies of the application from Peter Galant, Vice President, Tighe & Bond, 1000 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484 (203-712-1104). Questions may be directed to Doug Hoskins of DEEP’s Water Planning and Management Division at douglas.hoskins@ct.gov / 860-424-4192.