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Press Release: MDC Announces Schedule for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program


MDC Announces Schedule for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program|
2026 schedule and participating town information available

(HARTFORD, CT) – Each year, the Metropolitan District (MDC) provides its customers with an environmentally-friendly initiative, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection (HazWaste) program. The 2026 HazWaste Program is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 25 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 2026 and residents of any participating towns can partake in any collection date.

Participating towns for 2026 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.

Press Release: MDC Annual Watershed Inspections to Begin

MDC Annual Watershed Inspections to Begin

Property inspections will take place in the towns of Barkhamsted, Hartland, New Hartford, Burlington, Canton, Harwinton, Torrington, Winsted, Avon, Simsbury, Bloomfield and West Hartford

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced it will begin conducting its state-mandated annual watershed sanitary survey and inspection program beginning this week. 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 2025, the MDC inspected 1004 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

2026 Season Passes for MDC’s Lake McDonough Boat Launch available for online purchase

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.
2026 Boating Form

BOATING / FISHING

Fishing by boat is typically allowed from the second Saturday in April through Labor Day. Private boat, canoe and kayak launching is also allowed. Motor boat speed is limited to 10 miles per hour. There are no rental boats.
Fishing from shore is permitted year round. Shore fishing is allowed from sunrise to 9:00PM.

Each spring Lake McDonough is stocked with brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout. A wheelchair accessible fishing pier is located at the south end of Lake McDonough on Route 219, approximately two miles from the intersection of Route 44 in New Hartford Center.

BOAT LAUNCH HOURS

Saturday, April 11: 6AM – 8PM (OPENING DAY)
Sunday, April 12: 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.

Press Release: MDC to Begin Hydrant Flushing Maintenance

MDC to Begin Hydrant Flushing Maintenance
Flushing program is a proactive measure to ensure water quality and fire protection

(HARTFORD, CT) –– The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced that it will begin the annual hydrant flushing program this week.

MDC flushes approximately 11,000 fire hydrants throughout its towns beginning in spring through the end of summer of each year. This is done to maintain the quality of our water and ensure that the fire hydrants servicing your community are in good working condition for fire protection.

Fire hydrant flushing can temporarily result in discolored water.  If discolored water occurs in your home, run the cold water in your bathtub for approximately 20 minutes until the water runs clear. This discoloration is not harmful and is due to sediment and iron that collects in the pipe throughout the year which is disturbed and removed by the flushing process.

As part of the MDC fire hydrant flushing process, the MDC continuously takes water samples throughout the area to ensure that the sediment has been cleared from the system.

If the discolored water persists, please contact the MDC’s 24-Hour Emergency Command Center (860) 278-7850 and press 1.

Schedule
The schedule and flushing area maps are available on the MDC’s website:       

Fire Hydrant Flushing

Video

A video on hydrant flushing is available on the MDC’s YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuY-3RCW1Aw

Integrated Plan Consent Order 2025 Annual and Q4 Report Meeting Information

Comments and questions may be submitted to the MDC via email at [email protected] until April 1, 2026. Responses will be posted to the MDC website by May 1, 2026

2025 Annual and Q4 Report Meeting Public Notice
2025 Annual and Q4 Report March 12, 2026 Meeting Agenda (Includes Webex Meeting information)
2025 Annual and Q4 Report Presentation
Video of Meeting 3.12.26 (YouTube link)

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

Press Release: MDC Reminds Customers to Sign Up for Alert System

Press Release PDF

MDC Reminds Customers to Sign Up for Alert System

MDC Alerts system notifies customers of water emergencies

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) is reminding customers to sign up for the “MDC Alerts” mass notification system to keep citizens informed during water emergencies.  The “MDC Alerts” system gives the MDC Command Center an additional tool to communicate with residential customers and businesses during an emergency situation through multiple contact paths including home phone, cell phone, text and email.

The initial contact method for notification is publicly listed landline telephone numbers, to which calls are made between the hours of 6 AM and 9 PM.  In addition, the MDC continues to notify affected customers via door knocking when appropriate.

The notification system allows each user the flexibility to indicate which communication methods should be used to reach them and the order in which they will be used.  A video explaining the notification system is available on the MDC’s website, YouTube and social media pages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIks3QUjdpU

A link sign-up portal for customers to register to receive messages via cell phone number, text or email is located on the MDC’s website: www.themdc.org. 

The direct link to sign up is:

https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612528#/signup

MDC CEO Scott Jellison stated, “We want to continue to be proactive in helping our customers be prepared for potential water emergencies.  We encourage our customers to sign up as soon as possible.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIks3QUjdpU