2. Notice of Scoping for University of Connecticut Action for Additional Water Supply Source(s)

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: Mansfield, Tolland, Coventry

Addresses of Possible Project Locations:

The preferred project location(s) will be selected from a range of options that include:

·         Interconnecting with a nearby reservoir-based water system northeast of the Main Campus in Storrs, CT. Such an interconnection would involve a new pipeline that would generally run southerly along Route 195 from the intersection of Baxter Street/Anthony Road and Route 195 in Tolland, CT, through the northeast corner of Coventry, CT, to the nearest feasible point to interconnect with the existing University of Connecticut (UConn) water supply system in Storrs, CT. Alternative local roads could also be considered for portions of the pipeline route.

·         Interconnecting with a nearby reservoir-based water system southwest of the Main Campus in Storrs, CT. Such a interconnection would involve a new pipeline which would generally run northerly along Route 195 from the intersection of Conantville Road and Route 195 in southern Mansfield, CT to the nearest feasible point to interconnect with the existing UConn water supply system in Storrs, CT. Alternative local roads could also be considered for portions of the pipeline route.

·         Developing new groundwater source or sources in the stratified drift aquifers along the Fenton River, Willimantic River, or Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, and conveying the water from the new source(s) via pipeline to the nearest feasible point to interconnect with the existing UConn water supply system in Storrs, CT.

Project Description:

The University of Connecticut in direct partnership with the Town of Mansfield proposes actions that will identify and implement a long-term source of at least 0.5 - 1 million gallons per day of water for the University of Connecticut’s public water supply system. The project comprises the possible creation of new wellfields and the possible installation of new water mains to provide additional water to the University’s public water supply system in and around Storrs, which currently also provides service to several Town of Mansfield facilities.

The proposed action would enable growth of the University and surrounding area consistent with prior the University Water Supply Plan, University Master Plans and associated Environmental Impact Evaluations, particularly for the proposed University Technology Park to be developed on the University’s North Campus. The proposed action would improve the University water supply’s margin of safety and supplement the available water during times of drier years when the existing supply is limited in response to aquatic and environmental concerns. This additional source of water supply would also enable economic development as delineated in the Town Plan of Conservation and Development, particularly as envisioned for the Mansfield Four Corners and Storrs Center areas.

The alternatives for obtaining an additional water supply source for the University’s public water supply system include:

1)   Connecting with a nearby reservoir-based water system to the northeast of the main campus by extending a transmission main south from Tolland along the Route 195 corridor or alternative local roads;

2)   Connecting with a nearby reservoir-based water system to the southwest of the main campus by extending a transmission main north from southern Mansfield along the Route 195 corridor or alternative route(s) via local roads; and

3)  Installing and connecting to a new groundwater source or sources in the stratified drift aquifers along the Fenton River, Willimantic River, or Mansfield Hollow Reservoir. The new groundwater source(s) would preferably be installed on lands in Mansfield, CT currently owned by the University, Town of Mansfield, or the Army Corps of Engineers.

Project Map(s): 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:  July 7, 2011

There will be a Public Scoping Meeting for this project at:

Written comments should be sent to:

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

The agency expects to release an Environmental Impact Evaluation for this project, for public review and comment, in January 2012.