Municipality where proposed project would be located: Norwich

Project Location: The Greenville, Eastside, Thamesville, Laurel Hill and Downtown areas of Norwich

Project Description: Norwich is a combined sewer overflow (CSO) community, where both sanitary sewage and stormwater are carried in a single pipe.  During rainfall events of sufficient intensity and duration, the capacity of the collection system is overwhelmed and excess flows discharge to nearby rivers via built-in overflows in the collection system.  The overflows were designed to prevent the combined sewer flows from backing up into basements and surcharging onto the streets. 

The collection system will undergo a separation which will involve the construction of a new sewer parallel to the existing combined sewer, thereby segregating the sources.  After completion of a separation, one dedicated stormwater sewer will transport runoff directly to the local receiving waters, while the other sewer will be dedicated to carrying wastewater to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment prior to discharge into the river.

The CSO Long Term Control Plan recommends complete separation of all remaining combined sewer areas in Norwich, with the separation projects to be implemented in a phased approach, over a 20 year period.  The highest priority areas would be done first, with the option to reevaluate the final phase of separation as the project progresses, based on environmental improvements, changes in regulations and new technological solutions that may emerge.  Such adjustments to this plan that could occur during the implementation period and that are within the scope of the current project may not require an additional EIE. 

The proposed sewer separation project will be conducted according to a “Five-Phase Implementation Plan.”  The separation plan is structured to give the highest environmental benefits at the beginning of the program.  At the end of the first phase, in year 4 of the “Five-Phase Implementation Plan,” the Greenville area separation will be completed, which is projected to eliminate half of the CSO discharge volume.  At the end of the third phase, in year 8, over 98% of the CSO discharge volume will be eliminated.  In year 15 of the program, after the first four separation phases are completed, over 99% of the CSO discharge volume (on an annual basis for the typical year) will be removed.

As the separation projects proceed, opportunities to provide an enhanced environmental outcome with the strategic placement of green infrastructure will be considered.  It should be noted, however, that the great majority of project areas where separation work will be done are underlain by bedrock ledge and other geologic formations that generally are not conducive to the application of green infrastructure technologies.

Project Maps: Click here to view a table outlining the Five-Phase Implementation Plan
                       Click here to view a figure depicting the Five-Phase Implementation Plan

The EIE and additional information about the project can be viewed in person at:

       Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
       Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse (2nd floor)
       79 Elm Street
       Hartford, CT  06106

The public can view a copy of this EIE at:

      Norwich City Clerk
      100 Broadway 
      Norwich, CT 06360

The EIE can also be found online at the DEEP website by clicking here.

Written comments on this EIE are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: December 4, 2015

Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Hearing on this EIE 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 Hearing.  Such requests must be made by October 30, 2015.

Written comments about this EIE and/or requests for a Public Hearing should be sent to:

If you have questions about a public hearing or questions about this project, contact Ms. Marusin, as directed above.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Any person with a disability who may need a communication aid or service may contact the agency's ADA Coordinator at 860-424-3194 or at deep.hrmed@ct.gov.  Any person with limited proficiency in English, who may need information in another language, may contact the agency's Title VI Coordinator at 860-424-3035 or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov.  ADA or Title VI discrimination complaints may be filed with DEEP’s EEO Manager at (860) 424-3035 or at deep.aaoffice@ct.gov.