Presented to the Connecticut Association of Water Pollution Control Authorities | April 26, 2013

Community Systems 101

Presented by Thom Knowlton, P.E.Senior Water & Wastewater Engineer

Milone & MacBroom, Inc.

Community Sewerage System is defined in statute to mean “any sewerage system serving two or more residences in separate structures which is not connected to a municipal sewerage system or which is connected to a municipal sewerage system as a distinct and separately managed district or segment of such system”

CGS Chapter 103, Section 7-245(3)

1. Two or more residence structures: home,

condo, apartment, school dormitory, etc.

2. Community sewerage systems often involve

large-scale subsurface sewage disposal

systems treating wastewater from multiple

residences

Old Saybrook, Connecticut Eden Harbour Active Adult Condominium Community

Type / Size of System Regulatory Agency

Systems Regulated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH)Conventional system with design flow less than 2000 gallons per day

Local Health Department in the town the site is located

Conventional system with design flow greater than 2000 gallons per day but less than 5000 gallons per day DPH Sewage Program

(860) 509-7296Alternative treatment with design flow less than 5000 gallons per day

Systems Regulated by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)Conventional systems with design flows greater than 5000 gallons per day, including sites where multiple smaller systems on a single “lot” have a combined flow greater than 5000 gallons per day

DEEP Subsurface SewageDisposal Program(860) 424-3018Community System

Any system utilizing alternative treatment, regardless of size

Then why should WPCA’s be concerned about Community Sewerage Systems?

CGS Chapter 103, Section 7-246(b):The WPCA shall manage or ensure the effective supervision, management, control, operation and maintenance of any community sewerage system or decentralized wastewater management district not owned by a municipality.

What other ways do Community Sewerage Systems impact WPCA’s?

Planning?Mapping?

Construction Inspection?Long-term Oversight?

Yes

Water Pollution Control PlanCGS Chapter 103, Section 7-246(b): Plan shall include:

1.1. Areas where municipal sewerage facilities are planned and the schedule of design and construction anticipated

2.2. Areas where sewers are to be avoided

3. Areas served by any community sewerage system not owned by the municipality

4. Areas to be served by any proposed community sewerage system not owned by the municipality

5. Areas to be designated as decentralized wastewater management districts

Sewer Service Area Map

1.1. Current sewer system layout

2.2. Future sewer system areas

3.3. Areas of subsurface disposal, community systems, and

1. decentralized wastewater management districts

4.4. Areas not to be served by sewer

5.5. In compliance with local and State Plan of Conservation

1. & Development maps

6.6. Compliance with State C&D Plan in order to be eligible for Clean Water Funding on projects over $200,000

Sewer Service Area Map Community Systems 101

Example Sewer Service Area Map

Construction Inspection

1.1. CT DPH & CT DEEP

2.2. Local Health Department

3.3. Building Inspector

4.4. Professional Engineer

5.5. WPCA

1.a. Obtain copies of permits

2.b. Obtain copies of as-builts

Long-Term Oversight

1.1. CT DEEP Requirements

1.a. Operation & Maintenance Agreement

2.b. Groundwater and Surface Water Monitoring (possible)

3.c. Biannual Permit Compliance Audit

4.d. Other site specific requirements

2.2. WPCA

1.a. Ensure the effective supervision, management, control, and operation and maintenance of the system

2.b. Operation & Maintenance Agreement

Benefits of Community Sewerage Systems

1.1. Systems are designed, permitted, installed, and paid for by someone other than WPCA

2.2. Systems are owned and operated by someone other than WPCA

3.3. Environmental Improvements

4.4. Higher intensity development of land not having sewer access

5.5. Additional revenues if connected to WPCA

New Milford, Connecticut Faith Ministries Church

Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort20 Temporary Housing Trailers Connected to SSDS

1.1. “Two or more residences in separate structures”

2.2. The WPCA shall manage or ensure the effective supervision, management, control, operation and maintenance of any community sewerage system or decentralized wastewater management district not owned by a municipality.

3.3. Add them to your Water Pollution Control Plan

4.4. Add them to your Sewer Service Area Maps

5.5. Develop an agreement with property owner(s)

6.6. Get involved early and stay connected