NEWS RELEASE

November 14, 2005

MDC PROJECT WILL PROTECT SEWER PIPES FROM INFLOW AND INFILTRATION OF CLEAN WATER

HARTFORD –  The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) is about to embark on a multi-million dollar program in Windsor, Wethersfield, Newington, West Hartford and Rocky Hill that is intended to eliminate the infiltration and inflow of clean water into the sewer system, thereby improving the system’s capacity and helping to eliminate sewage backups.

            The work, with an estimated cost of  more than $12.7 million,  will include rehabilitating manholes, raising and/or replacing manhole covers and re-lining sections of sanitary sewage pipes. The intent is to keep as much storm water, or “clean” water, out of the collection system.

Contracts are expected to be awarded late in 2005, and work will continue through 2006.

Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) is clean storm and/or groundwater that enters the sewer system through cracked pipes, leaky manholes, or improperly connected storm drains, down spouts and sump pumps. Most inflow comes from stormwater and most infiltration comes from groundwater.

In the summer of 2005, the MDC conducted an extensive monitoring and analysis of sewer flows in Windsor, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Newington and West Hartford.  During periods of heavy rain and/or high groundwater, too much water enters the MDC’s collection system, resulting in sewage overflows and basement backups. The results of those studies were used to prepare construction contracts for the work to begin in the coming months.

Additional phases of work will include testing and study to identify additional sources of inflow and infiltration and additional areas where sewer rehabilitation is needed.

The work will not require substantial excavation, other than a small amount necessary to raise and replace manhole covers.

            A non-profit municipal corporation chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1929, the MDC supplies water and sewer services to its eight member municipalities:  Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor.  The MDC supplies treated water to the Town of Portland and portions of Glastonbury, East Granby, South Windsor and Farmington. The MDC owns and operates two three-megawatt hydroelectric power stations, one at the Goodwin Dam in Hartland and one at the Cole­brook River Dam in Colebrook.

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