Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Municipalities and Aquifer Protection Areas

Municipalities play the most critical role in the Aquifer Protection Area Program. Implementation at the local level involves:

  • Appointing an existing commission to act as the Aquifer Protection Agency
  • Delineating the aquifer protection area boundary on the town zoning map (only once Level A mapping is completed by the water company and approved by DEEP)
  • Adopting local aquifer protection area regulations consistent with state regulations
  • Identifying and inventorying potentially regulated activities in the area
  • Regulating businesses and facilities within the aquifer protection area 
The Connecticut's Aquifer Protection Area Program Municipal Manual 2011 provides municipalities with technical guidance and reference materials needed to regulate aquifer protection areas. This is a free, open resource available for municipalities. 
 
Appointing the Aquifer Protection Agency
After an Aquifer Protection Area has been delineated, a municipality has 3 months after the boundary has been adopted to authorize an existing board or commission as the Aquifer Protection Agency (Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-354o). There is a model ordinance to designate a municipal Aquifer Protection Agency (PDF) (Word).For a list of municipal contacts, see the Aquifer Protection Agent Directory.

 

Delineating the Aquifer Protection Area Boundary
Although a water utility is responsible for the groundwater modeling to determine the Level A Aquifer Protection Area boundary, it is the municipality's responsibility to delineate the Level A Aquifer Protection Area boundary on town zoning or inland wetland maps. To access the GIS files for Level A Aquifer Protection Area boundaries for the state, visit DEEP GIS Open Data.
 

 

Adopting Local Aquifer Protection Area Regulations

After DEEP notifies the municipality that the Level A Aquifer Protection Area boundary has been approved, the municipal Aquifer Protection Agency shall initiate the adoption of Aquifer Protection Area regulations. Municipal regulations must be consistent with state regulations as provided in the Model Municipal Regulations (PDF)(Word) (Revised 10/1/2010).

Identifying and Inventorying Regulated Activities

Once the Level A Aquifer Protection Area boundary has been approved by the municipality, it is time to identify regulated activities within the boundary. In order to carry out the Aquifer Protection Area Program, the municipal Aquifer Protection Agency shall conduct an inventory of land uses within the boundary to assess and determine potential contamination sources. 

Regulating Businesses and Facilities

Registration of Businesses and Facilities

A municipal Aquifer Protection Agency shall assist facilities with identifying if regulated activities occur on the site or not. In general, if a regulated activity occurs on the site at the time the Level A Aquifer Protection Area boundary is adopted, then the facility is eligible to be registered under the program. There are template forms below to assist municipalities with navigating the registration process. To see a good example of a completed registration form, see SAF-T Auto's registration form for the Town of Cheshire. The forms below may be helpful in regulating businesses and facilities through aquifer protection area registrations:

A business or facility which already holds a registration for a regulated activity may be eligible to apply to conduct a new regulated activity on site. To do so, a permit application would be submitted to the municipality by the business or facility. The forms below may be helpful in processing and issuance of an aquifer protection area permit:
Conducting Site Inspections
 
Site inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with the Aquifer Protection Area Program's Best Management Practices (BMPs). The Aquifer Protection Agency Member or Agent should contact the landowner, permittee, or his or her agent to request permission to inspect the property before conducting a site inspection. It is important to remember that there are legal imitations on entry to property. Without permission from the landowner, a municipal official does not have authority to conduct an inspection on the landowner's property. Note, however, that the Aquifer Protection Area Registration and Permit Applications have standard language which gives permission to the agency or its duly authorized agent to make regular inspections of the facility and associated property, except a private residence, at reasonable hours.
 
Some good examples of inspection forms and reports include: 
Other Forms to take into consideration when developing a site inspection protocol:
Sending copies of registrations: (Electronic submittals are preferred.)
 
Regulated businesses are required to send a copy of the registration form to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH), and any affected water company. 
 
The addresses for CT DEEP and CT DPH are below:
 
 
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Aquifer Protection Area Program
Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse
Water Planning and Management Division
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
 
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section
410 Capitol Avenue, MS#12DWS
Hartford, CT 06134
 
For the list of water company contacts that should receive a copy of the registration, see the water utility contact directory
 
 
Educating the Public about the Aquifer Protection Area Program
Water Companies and Municipal Assistance Program
 
Water Companies serving 10,000 or more are required to develop a "Municipal Assistance Program" and make it available to the municipalities they serve. The program will include a site plan review, an evaluation of risk, and advice on spill management. DEEP is working with the American Water Works Association (Connecticut Section), Source Water Protection Committee (SWPC) to accomplish this task. (See Municipal Assistance Program.)
 
Interim Protection Measures
 
Towns, with preliminary Level B mapping, may take interim actions to protect future Aquifer Protection Areas before final Level A mapping is completed and local regulations are implemented. DEEP encourages towns to examine the preliminary mapped areas and take reasonable interim actions to improve protection of these areas. (See Interim Protection Guidance.)
 
Protecting Future Sources
 
Municipalities may be interested in protecting groundwater for future source use. The Surficial Aquifer Potential Map of Connecticut has been prepared by the Connecticut Geological Survey for statewide resource protection, water management, non-point source pollution prevention, and land use planning. The map identifies areas with greater potential for ground water supply based upon the texture and thickness of surficial aquifer deposits. (See Surficial Aquifer Potential Map.)
 
DEEP Contact Information
Contact the DEEP Aquifer Protection Area Program with any questions at DEEP.AquiferProtection@ct.gov. 
 
 
 
 
Content last updated June 5, 2025.