City of Norwich Public Utilities - Water Pollution Control Facility Upgrade
PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENTION NOT TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT EVALUATION
Project Name: Water Pollution Control Facility Upgrade by Norwich Public Utilities
Project Location: 44 Falls Avenue. Hollyhock Island – Norwich, Connecticut
Project Description:
The City of Norwich (“Norwich”) has proposed the upgrade of a water pollution control facility which has an effluent discharge to the Thames River. A 20-year planning study was performed to evaluate the future needs of the treatment plant. According to the report, the treatment should be upgraded to increase energy efficiency, flood protection, dependability performance, utilize fewer chemicals, and comply with future permit requirements.
All proposed improvements will take place within the existing treatment plant site, treating the existing designed flow rate of 8.5 mgd. This project will have a favorable impact on the environment by removing nitrogen more effectively and efficiently. It is designed to protect the WPCF during flooding events while keeping all units running smoothly and ensuring uninterrupted treatment. The new updated design will no longer require chemicals because ultraviolet light (UV) system will be utilized for disinfection. In addition, the plant will be upgraded to be more energy efficient.
General Information:
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is required to ensure that the requirements of section 40 CFR Part 6 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) have been met.
The DEEP has reviewed the planning study documents submitted in regard to this project. This review found that all of the proposed improvements will take place within the existing wastewater treatment plant footprint, and the design flow of the wastewater plant will remain the same and will improve the quality of the effluent with a positive environmental impact.
The Commissioner of the DEEP has also reviewed this project to ensure that the requirements of the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (Sections 22a-1a through 22a-1h of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS)) have been met. The proposed action does not fall within the categories of actions contained on DEEP’s environmental classification document as actions requiring review under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act. Therefore, the proposed action does not require public scoping as outlined under Section 22a-1b of the CGS.
Interested persons who wish to submit comments on this decision and/or obtain more information including inspection of supporting documentation may do so by contacting Jueda Shytko at jueda.shytko@ct.gov or (860)424-3707. Written comments must be received within thirty (30) days of the date of this public notice. Comments should be mailed to jueda.shytko@ct.gov, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127.
/s/ Nisha Patel
Nisha Patel, P.E.
Director
Water Planning and Management Division
Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse
Published in the Norwich Bulletin on July 11, 2022.
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. Please contact jueda.shytko@ct.gov if you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, or require some other accommodation. If you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at (860) 418-5910 or via email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.