News

Press Release PDF

MDC announced the temporary closure of all recreational boating activities at Lake McDonough, effective immediately, due to elevated water levels resulting from an ongoing dam safety project.  Lake McDonough is a recreation area located off Route 219 in Barkhamsted that permits boating and fishing.

The Lake McDonough boat launch opened for Saturdays and Sundays in April and was scheduled to open daily for the season on Thursday, May 1.  Typically, the boat launch is open daily seven days a week from 10AM to 8PM beginning in May through Labor Day.  

The current estimate for re-opening the boat launch is May 15. Construction schedules are subject to change.
MDC announced the temporary closure of all recreational boating activities at Lake McDonough, effective immediately, due to elevated water levels resulting from an ongoing dam safety project.  Lake McDonough is a recreation area located off Route 219 in Barkhamsted that permits boating and fishing.

The Lake McDonough boat launch opened for Saturdays and Sundays in April and was scheduled to open daily for the season on Thursday, May 1.  Typically, the boat launch is open daily seven days a week from 10AM to 8PM beginning in May through Labor Day.  

The current estimate for re-opening the boat launch is May 15.

While the MDC regrets any inconvenience, this action is necessary to ensure the safety and security of staff and recreation area guests. 

MDC ANNOUNCES START OF SILAS DEANE WATERMAIN PROJECT
Over 1.5 miles of new water main infrastructure to be replaced
Press Release PDF
Project Area Map PDF

(HARTFORD, CT) – Beginning the week of April 21st, the Metropolitan District (MDC) and their contractor, Burns Construction, will be starting construction on the Silas Deane Highway Water Main replacement project to replace existing watermains, services, and install meter pits with a projected completion date of August 2026.

The project scope includes the replacement of 1.3 miles of watermain along the Silas Deane Highway from Parsonage Street in Rocky Hill to Mill Street in Wethersfield. In addition, another quarter mile of water main pipe will be replaced on Town Line Road from Charter Road to the Silas Deane Highway. The work will include restoration of the road, sidewalks, curbs, driveways and landscaping.

A construction inspector and/or field engineer will always be on site during the construction work.  All traffic plans are coordinated with each town, including police and fire departments, as well as the Department of Transportation.

In early April, MDC staff held a stakeholder meeting with area businesses and town officials as part of an initial outreach effort to keep businesses and residents in the project area informed. Stakeholder contact will continue throughout the duration of the project with project emails, flyers and periodic meetings as needed. Notification will be sent out ahead of each phase of work.  Businesses will remain accessible during construction.

Regular work hours for the project are Monday through Friday 8:30AM-4PM. Night work is also planned for future phases of the project.

Daily updates for MDC construction projects are available on the MDC’s Construction Traffic map webpage: www.mdc-roadclosures.com/liveupdates/index.php

For project outreach questions, contact communication@themdc.com.

PDF Download Release and Schedule

(HARTFORD, CT) – Each year, the Metropolitan District (MDC) provides its customers with an environmentally-friendly initiative, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection (HazWaste) program. The 2025 HazWaste Program is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 26 in Newington.

The MDC collects hazardous waste and disposes of it through safe, environmentally responsible practices which in turn protects the health of our communities and the environment. The MDC will hold ten collection dates in 2025 and residents of any participating towns can partake in any collection date.

Participating towns for 2025 include: Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks. See schedule for dates, times and locations.

For more information about the HazWaste program, including a downloadable information packet that lists eligibility requirements, types of materials accepted and more, visit https://themdc.org/what-we- do/environment-health-safety/household-hazardous-waste-collection or call the HazWaste hotline at (860) 278-3809.

HazWaste webpage
https://themdc.org/what-we-do/environment-health-safety/household-hazardous-waste-collection

2025 Information Packet
https://themdc.org/app/uploads/2025/02/2025-Info-Packet-Final-1.13.25.pdf

NEW Pay By Text at Guest Checkout is now available when you pay by EZ PAY.

Receive text messages when your bill is due and make payments easily and securely right from your phone!

See links for more info:

Bill Payment Options page
Pay By Text FAQs

For complete, info check out the Lake McDonough page

SEASON PASSES
Season Passes for boating at Lake McDonough can be purchased online at:
https://mdcrecreational.square.site/

Boaters must also complete an online Registration Form when you purchase a season pass at:
https://mdcrecreational.square.site/forms-and-agreements
After purchasing season passes online, they can be picked up when you arrive at Lake McDonough

SINGLE DAY PASSES
Please note that single day passes must still be purchased on site at Lake McDonough. To expedite your entry to Lake McDonough, you can fill out a PDF form ahead of time and bring it with you.
You can also obtain one on site and fill out when when you arrive.
Boating Registration Form and Agreement for 2025 (PDF)

2025 BOAT LAUNCH HOURS
Saturday, April 12: 6AM – 8PM (OPENING DAY)
Sunday, April 13: 10AM-8PM
Weekends only for remainder of April: 10AM – 8PM
May 1 – September 1, Daily: 10AM – 8PM
Please check banner at the top of the MDC website for weather-related closings and re-openings of Lake McDonough.

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 
Download CT Press Release PDF
Download MA Press Release PDF

(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. 

March 2025 Bill Insert (English)
March 2025 Bill Insert (Spanish)

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

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.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc62_ZMN_ww

Story link:
Hartford, MDC sign agreement to collaborate on stormwater management | fox61.com