Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Water Diversion Registration or Permit?

Registration of water diversions occurred in 1982 and 1983.  It was required by the Water Diversion Policy Act, in Section 22a-368 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Diversion registration involved the submission of specific information about the diversion to the DEEP to define the diversions that were in use prior to the adoption of the Water Diversion Policy Act on July 1, 1982. That specific information included:

  • Location
  • Capacity
  • Frequency of withdrawal
  • Rate of Withdrawal
  • Description of the water use and water system

This action "grandfathered" those diversions and insulated them from DEEP regulatory review and permitting requirements. 

Diverters had until July 1, 1983 to submit registration data.  Acceptance of the registration data meant that the operators of the diversion could continue to use the diversion in the same manner without a diversion permit.  Those who failed to register, or those who have installed new diversions after July 1, 1982, or modified registered diversions, are subject to the permitting requirements of the Water Diversion Policy Act.

Permitting of water diversions was initiated following the cut-off date of July 1, 1983 and continues to this day. Most of these permits have annual water use reporting requirements and may in some instances have more frequent monitoring/reporting requirements. The Water Diversion permitting program offers two permit processes:

General Permit for Diversion of Water for Consumptive Use Categories:

General permits are a faster and more cost-effective way to permit specific activities. Those wishing to have their particular activity authorized under an approved general permit must meet certain terms and conditions contained within the general permit. A general permit sets terms and conditions for conducting an activity which, when complied with, are protective of the environment.  Four general permits have been issued authorizing these groupings of diversion activities.

  • Reauthorization - requires written request for authorization, no response from the department required
  • Non-filing - no reporting required, certain conditions apply to maintain compliance  
  • Filing Only - requires written request for authorization, no response from the department required
  • Authorization Required -requires written request for authorization and receipt of approval letter
"Individual" Water Diversion Permit
is for those diversions that do not fit into a general permit category or for applicants who wish to obtain a permit with a longer period of authorization than a general permit.  Diversions requiring an individual permit may possibly have more than minimal impact to the environment.  Therefore, proposed activities must be more fully described by the applicant and will receive more comprehensive analysis by DEEP staff.  Additionally, a public hearing may be called for as part of this permitting process.   The application process is covered in Sections 22a-369 - 22a-374 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and within Section 22a-377(c)-2 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

Permit Renewal: All general permits have a ten-year duration. Each time a general permit expires, diverters authorized under this general permit must renew by submitting a request for reauthorization for Department approval under the new general permit. Non-filing general permittees must maintain compliance with any changes made but are not required to renew. The current general permit expires in 2027.

For more information regarding the Consumptive Water Diversion Program, please contact the Water Planning and Management Division at (860) 424-3020.

 

Water Diversion Program

 

Content last Updated February 11, 2020