Connecticut State Department of Public Health

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      CONTACT: Donna Tommelleo, 860-524-7313

April 21, 2010                                                   donna.tommelleo@ct.gov

                                                                                   

 

Governor M. Jodi Rell today visited Ridgefield to review the progress of a stimulus-funded project that will ultimately improve the drinking water quality at Barlow Mountain and Scotland Elementary Schools.

 

The $1.4 million project will extend a water main along North Street to provide drinking to the schools to address concerns by the state Department of Public Health with the on-site drinking water system.

 

“I am very pleased we can help the town proceed with this essential upgrade,” Governor Rell said. “Clean, safe drinking is imperative for students and staff. The project should be completed mid-summer and be ready for the start of school this fall.”

 

The Governor said the state dedicated about $68 million in stimulus funds to projects that will upgrade public drinking water and sewage treatment systems and create jobs. The Ridgefield project is just one of 12 all across the state. The town received the funds through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

 

The stimulus funds are administered by the state Department of Public Health’s Drinking Water Fund Program.  Connecticut has received almost $3 billion so far in stimulus funds.

 

Project Highlights:

  • Installation of approximately 8,000 linear feet of water main to connect the Schools to the Aquarion Water Company-Ridgefield water system
  • Construction began April 2010 and is projected to be completed during July 2010
  • Will replace the on-site public water system currently providing water to the two schools and remove the need for the town to operate the water system and its chlorination treatment
  • Will resolve the current violation for excessive level of Chloride in the water by eliminating the on-site system and its sources
  • Will also resolve the high level of sodium in the water (not a violation)
  • Will replace the bottled water currently being supplied for drinking at the schools
  • Will resolve the Consent Order entered into between the Department of Public Health and the Town of Ridgefield to resolve the water quality issues with the Schools’ water system. Once the interconnection is activated and supplying water to the schools, this Consent Order will be closed.

For information on this project and other federal stimulus initiatives in Connecticut, visit the state’s official stimulus Web site at: www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link.

 

 

 

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