1. Notice of Scoping for the University of Connecticut Action for Additional Water Supply Source(s), Amended to Include an Interconnection with MDC’s Drinking Water Supply

Municipalities where proposed project might be located: East Hartford, Manchester, Bolton, Coventry, Vernon, South Windsor, Tolland, Mansfield, Windham

Addresses of Possible Project Locations: In addition to the alternative sources of supplementary water supply described in previous scoping notices, the University of Connecticut proposes to include an interconnection with the Metropolitan District Commission’s supply system terminus in East Hartford. Two alternative routes for the MDC transmission main are proposed for the EIE: one that runs within the Rt. 384 and Rt. 44 corridors through East Hartford, Manchester, Bolton, Coventry, and Mansfield, and one that runs within the Rt. 84 and Rt. 195 corridors through East Hartford, Manchester, South Windsor, Vernon, Tolland, Coventry, and Mansfield.

On June 7, 2011 and December 20, 2011, the CT Environmental Monitor posted scoping notices for the University of Connecticut’s proposal for a long-term source of at least 0.5 - 1 million gallons of water per day . The alternatives identified in the previous scoping notices remain options. The previous Monitor notices can be found at https://www.ct.gov/ceq/cwp/view.asp?a=987&Q=481666.

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 for the University of Connecticut’s public water supply system. The project comprises the possible creation of new wellfields and possible interconnections with other existing water suppliers 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 areas of Northern Mansfield near the University Campus.

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 northwest 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 southeast 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.

4) Replacing the University’s existing “Well A” in its Fenton River Wellfield with a new well installed in the stratified drift more than 250 feet westward from its current location.

5) NEW Connecting with the Metropolitan District Commission’s reservoir-based water system to the west of the main campus by extending a transmission main via one of two alternative routes along state highway corridors. For the purpose of the EIE, the MDC interconnection shall be evaluated for transmission capacities of 0.5 to 5 million gallons per day.

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 6, 2012

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

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:

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