1. Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Naugatuck Valley Regional Wastewater Study
Municipalities where proposed action is to be located: Ansonia, Derby, Seymour
Project Description: The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), together with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), evaluated potential wastewater treatment consolidation alternatives for five municipalities in the Naugatuck Valley. The purpose and need of this study are to identify and evaluate feasible and cost-effective options for reducing the number of treatment facilities while addressing the wastewater treatment challenges faced by the participating municipalities, in order to lower their future wastewater treatment costs and enhance treatment capacity, reliability, and environmental quality. The facilities originally evaluated are located in the municipalities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck and Seymour. The final recommendation of the study is for a regional wastewater utility providing service to Ansonia, Derby, and Seymour.
The NVCOG received a grant award from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to conduct a study of regional wastewater treatment alternatives for several communities that are burdened by deficient treatment facilities, regulatory compliance citations, and/or the high cost of upgrading or maintaining individual wastewater treatment facilities.
Phase 1 of the study analyzed existing conditions and capacities at facilities in the participating towns and included community outreach to each of the participating municipalities. Phase 1 was completed in spring 2019 and resulted in a broad list of potential alternatives that required more thorough evaluation.
Phase 2 of the study narrowed down the list of alternatives, only those alternatives considered to be prudent and feasible were the subject of a more extensive technical and engineering analysis. The resulting Environmental Impact Evaluation has identified a preferred alternative.
The public can view a copy of this EIE here: Naugatuck Valley Regional Wastewater Study. It can also be accessed at the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments website at: NVCOG Wastewater Regionalization Final Report.
Scoping Notice and Post Scoping Notice: The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection published a Scoping Notice on November 5, 2019 and a Post-Scoping Notice on September 21, 2021 in the Environmental Monitor.
Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public hearing by sending such a request to the address below by October 15, 2021. If a public hearing is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a public hearing.
Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: December 6, 2021.
For questions on this EIE or to send your written comments about this EIE, please contact:
Name: Stela Marusin, Sanitary Engineer III
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
E-Mail: Stela.Marusin@ct.gov
What happens next: DEEP will review the comments received and may conduct further environmental study and analysis or amend the evaluation. DEEP will prepare responses to the substantive issues raised in review of and comment on the EIE and any supplemental materials or amendments. Those responses and all supplemental materials and comments shall be made available in a "Record of Decision" which will appear in the Environmental Monitor for public inspection.