1. Home
  2. News

News

Press Release: MDC Annual Watershed Inspections Begin

Download Press Release (Connecticut)
Download Press Release (Massachusetts)

MDC ANNUAL WATERSHED INSPECTIONS BEGIN

Property inspections to begin in the towns of Barkhamsted, Hartland, New Hartford, Burlington, Harwinton, Torrington, Winsted, Avon, Simsbury, Bloomfield and West Hartford

March 9, 2022

For Immediate Release

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) will be conducting its state-mandated annual watershed sanitary survey and inspection program beginning in April. 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, 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.

The Barkhamsted Reservoir is located in Connecticut but the watershed area that drains to the Reservoir includes lands located within the Towns of Granville and Tolland, Massachusetts. As a result, property inspections also take place in the towns of Tolland and Granville.

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.

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 3924.

Press Release & Video: MDC Tunnel Project Hits Major Milestone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe8qE17k9eY


Download Press Release
Download Tunnel Project Background Info
YouTube Playlist Link to Previous Tunnel Construction Videos

MDC TUNNEL PROJECT HITS MAJOR MILESTONE
Tunnel Boring Machine holes through after four-mile journey
January 6, 2022
For Immediate Release

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced that the South Hartford Conveyance and Storage Tunnel (SHCST) reached a major milestone on Tuesday, January 4 when the tunnel boring machine (TBM) “Iris” reached its destination at the MDC’s retrieval facility located on Talcott Road in West Hartford.  The TBM began its’ journey in the Spring of 2019 across the street from MDC’s Hartford Water Pollution Control Facility (HWPCF) on Brainard Road in Hartford and traveled four miles, 200 feet below the surface before holing through the retrieval shaft on Talcott Road on Tuesday.

The SHCST is a four-mile long deep rock tunnel designed to temporarily store excess combined wastewater and storm water during rain events, and then convey the flows to the HWPCF for treatment. The tunnel’s capacity of 41.5 million gallons will help prevent the HWPCF from being overwhelmed during storms.  The 18-foot diameter tunnel is built in bedrock approximately 200 feet below ground.  The tunnel is a major component of the MDC’s Clean Water Project, an over $2 billion wastewater system improvement program required by the US EPA and State of CT DEEP.

The project is the first of its kind in Connecticut and the tunnel construction portion of the project, which cost approximately $279M, is the largest contract ever awarded by the MDC, and the largest project ever funded by the State Clean Water Fund. The Kenny Obayashi joint venture was awarded the contract to build the tunnel and in addition, the MDC also partnered with AECOM on the engineering design and Jacobs on the construction management of the project.

“The SHCST is a key element of the Clean Water Project with the goal of limiting combined sewer overflows to a one-year storm level, eliminating overflows to the Wethersfield Cove, which will continue to improve local water quality for our towns and ultimately benefitting the entire region including the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and are grateful to our Board of Commissioners as well as the federal, state and municipal officials from the MDC’s towns for their part in securing critical grant and loan funding to minimize the cost of the project and impact on ratepayers.  We are also thankful to our partners at DEEP for their help executing this project and making funding available,” stated MDC CEO Scott Jellison.

Press Release: MDC Video Series Recognized by the American Water Works Association

Download PDF of Press Release

MDC VIDEO SERIES RECOGNIZED BY AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

MDC video shorts receive national award from water industry

December 20, 2021

For Immediate Release

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) was recently recognized by the largest national water industry organization in the country for a series of video shorts produced about the functions of the Hartford region’s water and sewer provider. The MDC was chosen as recipient of the 2021 Public Communications Achievement Award, administered annually by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).  Established in 1881, the AWWA is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water.

The Public Communications Achievement Award recognizes AWWA water industry organizations for significant accomplishments in communication including educating the public, promoting awareness and understanding of water issues, establishing media relations, implementing community involvement programs, and inspiring others to model behavior with the public that builds trust and credibility.

The videos, each between one to two minutes and available via the MDC’s website and social media pages, explore aspects of the MDC that directly affect customers.  The animated “whiteboard” style videos cover topics such as MDC’s drinking water services, wastewater services, the Clean Water Project, what impacts water and sewer rates, and the benefits of an Integrated Plan to manage the Clean Water Project and sewer repair and maintenance activities.

“The Metropolitan District did exemplary work breaking down complex issues about water and wastewater into a simple and understandable format through its whiteboard animation video series. To build and strengthen public trust, it’s important for utilities to frequently and proactively communicate with customers and to educate them about all things water,” stated Adriana Lamar, Chair of the AWWA Public Affairs Council’s Award Committee.

“We are thrilled to have our communications department nationally recognized by our peers at the AWWA. It’s imperative to have another effective tool to get information out to our customers that we will continue to build on,” said Scott Jellison, MDC Chief Executive Officer.

Link to YouTube Channel Playlist

Press Release: MDC Recreation Area Holiday Schedule

Download PDF of Press Release

November 22, 2021

For Immediate Release

(HARTFORD, CT) – 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 25, 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)