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Press Release: MDC Annual Watershed Inspections to Begin

MDC ANNUAL WATERSHED INSPECTIONS TO BEGIN 
Property inspections to begin in the towns of Barkhamsted, Hartland, New Hartford, Burlington, Canton, Harwinton, Torrington, Winsted, Avon, Simsbury, Bloomfield and West Hartford 
For Immediate Release 
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(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) will be conducting its state-mandated annual watershed sanitary survey and inspection program beginning this month. The purpose of the program, which will continue through November, is to prevent contamination of the MDC’s drinking water supplies as a result of septic system failure, erosion, runoff, and other potential pollutants. 

Routine watershed sanitary surveys are required by Section 19-13-B102 (b) of the Connecticut Public Health Code.  

Property inspections will take place in the towns of Barkhamsted and Hartland on the Barkhamsted Reservoir watershed; in New Hartford, Burlington, Canton, Harwinton, Torrington and Winsted on the Nepaug Reservoir watershed; and in the towns of Avon, Simsbury, Bloomfield and West Hartford on the West Hartford and Reservoir No. 6 watersheds.  

Routine field inspections take only a few minutes and will be conducted by MDC’s Watershed Inspector who carries appropriate MDC identification and drives an authorized MDC vehicle. The Inspector does not enter homes; the inspection is limited to the exterior portions of the real property.  In 2024, the MDC inspected 1074 watershed properties. 

If a violation or an issue is detected, it is reported to the property owner and health officials as required by law.  Property owners may receive more information by contacting the MDC Watershed Management Unit, Barkhamsted Water Supply Division at 860-278-7850 extension 3120.  A video short on the watershed program is available on the MDC’s YouTube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3GuWA8V9dk. 

Integrated Plan Consent Order 2024 Annual and Q4 Report Meeting Information

Comments and questions may be submitted to the MDC via email at DistrictClerk@themdc.com until April 1, 2025. Responses will be posted to the MDC website by May 1, 2025.

2024 Annual and Q4 Report Meeting Public Notice
2024 Annual and Q4 Report March 13, 2025 Meeting Agenda
2024 Annual and Q4 Report Presentation FINAL 3.13.25 UPDATED

Background Information
Consent Order – Integrated Plan Reporting Information page
North Hartford Sewer Improvement Projects page

Press Release: MDC Announces $10 Million of North Hartford Infrastructure Improvements Completed

MDC ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION OF NORTH HARTFORD INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED
Sewer Separation and Rehabilitation Projects recently completed

Press Release PDF
Woodstock and Branford Project Summary Sheet
Tower Avenue Area Project Summary Sheet

For Immediate Release

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced substantial completion of the Woodstock and Branford Street Sewer Separation project and the Tower Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation Project, both North Hartford Sewer Improvement Projects, part of the $170 million Integrated Plan, a consent order with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).  The Integrated Plan is the current phase of the MDC’s Clean Water Project, a multibillion-dollar effort to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve the overall efficiency of the sewer system.

The Woodstock and Branford Street sewer separation project, located in the Granby / Blue Hills area of North Hartford, broke ground in 2023 with 72 total properties, included $1.7 million in sewer infrastructure improvements.  In addition, over $700,000 in private property upgrades for basements and lining of sewer house connection laterals were completed along with $1.4 million in water main improvements.  Final paving and restoration are scheduled for this spring.

The Tower Avenue Area Sewer Rehabilitation project, located in the northeast section of Hartford encompassed 359 properties at a cost of $6.9 million. The project scope included sewer improvements such as lining and rehabilitation of 1.8 miles of sewer main, point repairs and 300 private property sewer house connections.

Project outreach by MDC staff and contractors was key to keeping residents informed throughout the construction process for both public right of way and private property improvements.  43 percent of the work hours on the Woodstock and Branford project and 39 percent on the Tower Avenue project were performed by Hartford residents, exceeding the self-imposed goal of 30 percent set by the MDC.   One major sewer separation project had previously been completed with one still active and three sewer rehabilitation projects currently underway in North Hartford.

“While I am excited that two more projects are completed, I want to be clear that we are steadfast in our commitment to the roadway and private property restoration, making sure that when the work is done, we leave the areas in better condition,” said MDC CEO Scott Jellison.

MDC Chairman Donald Currey stated, “MDC continues to set new standards by not only going beyond simply meeting regulatory obligations, but doing so in partnership with our customers, state and local officials and with a significant effort to have our communities as part of the workforce for these projects.”

Press Release: MDC Recreation Area Holiday Hours

The Metropolitan District’s (MDC) recreational facilities will have limited hours for the upcoming Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Hours at the West Hartford Reservoir, located at 1420 Farmington Avenue; Reservoir #6, located off Route 44/Albany Avenue in West Hartford, and the West Branch Reservoir in Hartland will be limited per the following schedule:

November 28, Thanksgiving (CLOSED)
December 24, Christmas Eve (CLOSED at 12PM)
December 25, Christmas Day (CLOSED)
December 31, New Year’s Eve, (CLOSED at 12PM)
January 1, New Year’s Day (OPEN)

Press Release

Nepaug Dam Bridge closed for Recreation Wed. November 6

Please see below and attached. The bridge over the MDC’s Nepaug Dam in New Hartford will be closed for recreation this Wednesday, November 6 for an inspection.

The road on each side of the dam will remain open for recreation.  This is to protect the safety and security of everyone. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.