2. Notice of Scoping for Bunker Hill Water Main Extension

Municipality where proposed project might be located: Watertown

Addresses of Possible Project Locations:  Concord Drive, Cornwall Drive, Lake Winnemaug, and Farmdale Road & Barnes Road

Project Description: The Town of Watertown is proposing a water main extension project to serve the residential homes located in four areas including the Concord Drive area, the Cornwall Drive area, the Lake Winnemaug area, and the Farmdale and Barnes Road area. The entire project is proposed to be undertaken in four phases. Phase 1 includes the Concord Drive Area as shown in the map accompanying this notice of scoping. This water main extension project is supported in the most recent Water Supply Plan approved by the DPH.

A number of private wells in the project area were identified in the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) as having drinking water that contains E. Coli., coliform bacteria, and traces of Methyl Teriary Butyl Ether. In addition, the levels of turbidity, color, pH, iron and hardness of the well water do not conform to the acceptable limits established in State Drinking Water Quality Standards. Records provided by the Torrington Area Health District (TAHD) indicate that numerous houses have Leaking Underground Storage Tanks. There are several wells located around the Lake Winnemaug area that do not conform to the sanitary separation distances to probable sources of contamination  established in Section 19-13-B51d of the Public Health Code. In response to inquiries by Watertown Water and Sewer staff, area residents reported water quantity issues during the summer of 2016 including low recharge rates and periods of loss of water.  As noted in the letter dated July 14, 2014  from the TAHD, the proposed water main extension is being supported by the health district.

This water quality deterioration has been attributed to substandard septic systems installed on small lots with shallow bedrock, poor quality soils and seasonal high ground water as documented by TAHD.  The recommended action in the PER is to extend a water main to the project area to provide a safe and adequate drinking water supply and allow the homeowners to properly abandon the on-site private wells. The Town is also extending its existing sewer system to serve the project area.  The DEEP published a Notice of Scoping for the first phase of the sewer expansion on February 7, 2017.  The DPH has been communicating with the DEEP in regards to coordinating the two projects.

The PER identifies several options to resolve the water quality and quantity issues that include redevelopment of existing wells (hydrofracking), deepening of wells, individual treatment installation (point of use), and installation of a stand-alone community water system. Because of the area’s proximity to centralized public water infrastructure, the alternative of extending public water mains and abandoning the on-site drinking water wells was determined to be the most economical action to achieve the desired public health benefit.

Watertown is currently seeking financial assistance under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program to cover the project cost for the extension of water main to serve Concord Drive area. Approximately 89 residential homes currently served by private wells with water quality and quantity issues will receive safe and adequate drinking water.  The proposed Concord Drive area water main extension project will comprise of installation of new water main that will be connected to the existing distribution main of the Watertown Water and Sewer Authority located near the intersection of Bunker Hill Road and Davis Street Extension. The new main will run southwest along Bunker Hill Road and branch to Revere Drive and Mystic Lane. The 12-inch diameter pipe will be installed along Bunker Hill Road while 8-inch diameter pipe will be used along the secondary roads (Revere Drive, Mystic Lane, Concord Drive, and Lexington Drive). The water main has been minimally sized to provide adequate domestic water supply and satisfy fire protection requirements specified by the Town Fire Marshall for all 4 phases of the project.

Project Map:  Click here to view a map of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on:  May 5, 2017.

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below.  If a meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting.  Such requests must be made by April 14, 2017.

Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to

If you have questions about the public meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, contact: