Water Diversion Program

The Water Diversion Program regulates activities that cause, allow or result in the alteration, modification, or withdrawal from the waters of the state. In general, this includes water users that are withdrawing 50,000 gallons or more in a 24-hour period from either groundwater, surface water, or a combination of groundwater and surface water. These withdrawals are referred to as "water diversions", as water is being diverted away from the environment to be used in some way. Typical users may include golf courses, water utilities, and some water-intense industries.

The Water Diversion Policy Act is codified in Section 22a-365 through 22a-379 of the Connecticut General Statutes as well as Sections 22a-372-1, 22a-377(b)-1 and 22a-377(c)-1 to 22a-377(c)-2 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Legacy water users were able to register their water use during a period of 1982-1983 to operate without a water diversion permit, provided that the water use and purpose does not change from time of registration.

Regardless if you have a water diversion permit that was issued recently, or if you are operating under a water diversion registration that was registered with DEEP in 1982-1983, an annual report of daily water usage is required to be submitted to DEEP. For more details on reporting, see the Water Diversion Reporting Information page.

If you are unsure if your water use has prior authorization or needs authorization, visit the webpage Water Diversion Registration or Permit? or contact the Water Diversion Program by email at DEEP.WaterDiversion@ct.gov.

Additionally, you may view the list of Consumptive Diversion Permits and all Diversion Registrations in either a PDF or Excel format (updated 11/26/2025).

Examples of water diversion structures

          Surface water withdrawal                           Well casing                      Well house

                                 Water cannon for irrigation                 Impounded stream flowing through weir
                         

Exclusive Service Areas for Water Utilities

Exclusive Service Area (ESA) maps are used as a reference to determine eligibility under certain consumptive water diversion regulatory exemptions. An ESA is defined as an area where public water is to be supplied by only one distribution system to ensure that safe and adequate drinking water is available to areas of the state where public water supply is needed.

• Western PWSMA Overview; Subtitle: Western Connecticut Water Supply Assessment;
  Sheet: Appended Figure 2; Date: October 31, 2016

• Central PWSMA Overview; Subtitle: Central Connecticut Water Supply Assessment;
  Sheet: Appended Figure 2; Date: October 28, 2016

• Eastern PWSMA Overview; Subtitle: Eastern Water Supply Assessment;
  Sheet: Appended Figure 2; Date: November 4, 2016

Additional Information and Resources

Irrigation of golf courses is a large part of water use in Connecticut. There are two guidance documents available to golf course managers and landscapes. It is recommended that all golf courses, regardless if authorized by a water diversion registration or permit, follow best management practices.

• Connecticut Golf Industry Best Management Practices
• Best Management Practices for Golf Course Water Use

Return to the Water Quantity home page for more information

Content last updated December 4, 2025