Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

The Reclassifications of Ground Water, Ansonia, Cromwell, Waterbury

CONSOLIDATED NOTICE OF TENTATIVE DETERMINATION AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE RECLASSIFICATIONS OF GROUND WATER

The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (the Department) hereby give notice that a tentative determination has been reached to approve the following request to reclassify groundwater quality and that a public hearing shall be held on this request on September 1, 2026, as more thoroughly described herein. In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-426(f), the Department’s Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse will be conducting a public hearing to receive oral and written comments on three proposed amendments to the classification map(s) submitted pursuant to Section 22a-426-7(k)(2)(B)(iii)(I) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The proposed amendments will lower the groundwater classification from an existing classification of GA to a classification of GB at each of the proposed sites.

The areas proposed for reclassification are as follows:

1.      Ansonia: Approximately 8.56 acre parcel encompassing the subject site at 31-165 Olson Drive and the area between the site and the Naugatuck River to the east (within ~200 feet), and the area between the site and the existing GB class area at Bridge Street to the south (~200 feet); submitted by James T. Olsen, PG, LEP, Tighe & Bond, Inc. on behalf of Ansonia Sports Complex LLC and the City of Ansonia.

  2.      Cromwell: Approximately 1.46 acre parcel encompassing the subject site that is comprised of two residential properties (25 and 29 Wall Street) totaling approximately 1.12 acres and approximately 0.34 acres of a    portion of the easterly adjacent public thoroughfare (River Road) located at the intersection of Wall Street and River Road, abutting the previously reclassified GB groundwater classification area to the north and east; submitted by Lawrence M Hogan, LEP, AECOM Technical Services, Inc. on behalf of Chevron Environmental Management Company.

3.      Waterbury: Approximately 4.59 acres encompassing the subject site at 78 Brookside Road bounded on the north by 30.34 acres of vacant land (MBL 128-777-0041), on the south by 79 and 99 Brookside Road, on the east by 50 Brookside Road, and the west by 92 Brookside Road, immediately upgradient of an existing GB groundwater classification area and a Class B surface water body (Steele Brook); submitted by Meg Winfield, LEP, CPG, TRC on behalf of Specialty Manufacturing Holdings RE, LLC.

Detailed maps are available for each area proposed for reclassification. Any person with questions regarding these proposals or whoever wishes to examine the applications should contact the Department as set forth below.

NOTICE OF HEARING

The Department will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed amendments through Zoom, a remote online hearing platform. All interested persons can register to attend the public hearing and express their views on the proposed reclassification(s). To register in advance for this meeting, use the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Date: September 1, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM

Zoom Link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/Lc1wrrGXTFqh9aQoDYbBDA

The hearing will adjourn when the last speaker present and signed in has provided comment.  Speakers are requested, although not required, to submit a written copy of their comments as instructed below. Written comments will be accepted through September 15, 2026. Any written comments should reference the applicant’s name, site address, and application number.

Any person who wishes to submit written testimony and anyone requiring more information should contact Kim Czapla, by email at Kim.Czapla@ct.gov, by phone at (860) 424-3335, or by mail to the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, Connecticut, 06106-5127. General information on the Water Quality Standards and Classifications is available on the Department’s website at: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Water/Water-Quality/Water-Quality-Standards-and-Classification.  

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you:  have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number-711. Requests for accommodation must be made at least two weeks prior to any agency hearing, program or event.

Published in the Connecticut Post, The Hartford Courant and Waterbury Republican-American on July 27, 2026