Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Businesses, Industries, and Aquifer Protection Areas

Land uses and activities that can contaminate ground water quality will be regulated in aquifer protection areas. Generally, activities which use, store, handle, or dispose of hazardous materials and other potential ground water contaminants, and were already occurring in the Aquifer Protection Area, will have to follow best management practices or standards designed to minimize the possibility of ground water pollution. New activities such as waste disposal, most manufacturing, and bulk petroleum or chemical storage may not be allowed to locate in aquifer protection areas. 
 
Businesses that conduct regulated activities, and therefore will most likely be regulated include:
  • Most manufacturing and chemical wholesale storage industries
  • Trades and services such as gasoline stations, auto and engine services, and machine shops
  • Dry Clearners
  • Furniture Strippers
  • Printers and photo processors
  • Laboratories
  • See the full list of regulated activities

How will businesses be affected by the Aquifer Protection Area Program?

Businesses that are conducting any regulated activity will have to submit a registration either to their municipal aquifer protection agency or with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Businesses may have to implement new procedures and/or install new equipment to minimize the chance of pollution. A materials management plan and a stormwater management plan may also be required.
 
It will be advantageous for businesses to register and preserve their right to continue to operate regulated activities, to add new activities or to change to a different activity. Without a registration, these regulated activities are prohibited.
 

Is my business located in an Aquifer Protection Area?

Use the interactive Connecticut Aquifer Protection Areas map to determine if your property is located in an Aquifer Protection Area. Static maps for each town that contains an Aquifer Protection Area are also available on Aquifer Protection Area Maps.
 

How do I know if my business will be regulated?

Your business may be regulated if you are located in an aquifer protection area and you conduct a regulated activity. You can do a self-audit form to see if your business will be regulated under the program. See Determining Your Regulatory Status in Aquifer Protection Areas. When in doubt, contact DEEP at DEEP.AquiferProtection@ct.gov. 
 

Do I register my business with DEEP or my municipality?

Businesses must register either with DEEP or the local municipality. Only certain situations warrant a business to be regulated by DEEP under the Aquifer Protection Area Program. All others will register with the local municipality. Regardless of registering with DEEP or the municipality, the information provided on the registration form is should be complete and detailed. To see a good example of a completed registration form see SAF-T Auto's registration form for the Town of Cheshire.

When to register with DEEP

You will register with the DEEP if the regulated activity is done at a facility that:

1. Holds one or more of the following individual permits:
-National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
-State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES)
 -Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
-Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF) 

2. Is a public service company or utility

3. Is a large-quantity hazardous waste generator

4. Is a state agency, such as the Department of Transportation

  
To register with the DEEP, complete the State Registration Form for Regulated Activities in Aquifer Protection Areas (Word Form, PDF) using the accompanying Instructions. State Registration Forms may be submitted electronically to DEEP.AquiferProtection@ct.gov.
 
When to register with the municipality
If your business does not fit one of the four criteria above to warrant registering with DEEP, then you will register with your local municipality. Registration processes may vary from town to town. View the Connecticut Aquifer Protection Agent Directory to find the aquifer contact for your town or city to register.
 

Sending copies of registrations  

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. 
 
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Aquifer Protection Area Program
Water Planning and Management Division
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
 
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Section
410 Capitol Avenue, MS #51 WAT
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
DPH.SourceProtection@ct.gov
 
For the list of water company contacts that should receive a copy of the registration, see the water utility contact directory list.
 

Additional Guidance

Return to the Aquifer Protection Program Home page to access more information.
 
Updated on September 18, 2025