Pomperaug River Low-Flow Plan Action Level Reached Second threshold, “Water Conservation Desired” r
SOUTHBURY — River flows in the Pomperaug River have hit the second trigger in the low-flow operations plan announced in June. As called for in the plan, The Heritage Village Water Company, the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, and the Town of Southbury are asking residents in the Pomperaug River Basin to voluntarily reduce their water use because of low flows in the river.
This is the second of three possible action levels identified in the plan. Customers of the Heritage Village Water Company and private well owners are always encouraged to use water wisely. Now that the Water Conservation Desired action level has been reached, they are being asked to voluntarily conserve water. Private wells and public water supplies in the area draw water from the Pomperaug Aquifer, which can affect river flows.
The typical low-flow period for the Pomperaug occurs between July 1 and October 31st, and this is the kind of scenario that was envisioned when the low-flow operations plan was implemented in 2019. The current river flow is 14.2 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is below the second trigger of 15 cfs. The final trigger, which would reinforce the desire for conservation, would be when the flows are less than 7 cfs.
In addition to these steps for customers, the stress on the Pomperaug River is further reduced as the water supply needs of the Towantic Energy Center, LLC, are being met with the water supply sources of Connecticut Water Company from supplies outside of the Pomperaug River Basin.
Heritage Village Water customers and private well owners can visit www.ctwater.com/conservation for water conservation tips. The current Pomperaug River status and Action Levels can be viewed online at www.pomperaug.org/lowflowplan.
About Connecticut Water, Avon Water and Heritage Village Water
The companies are local water utilities, regulated by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, which combined provide water service to more than 350,000 people in 59 Connecticut towns and wastewater services to more 10,000 people in the town of Southbury, Connecticut. The towns served are Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Hebron, Killingly, Killingworth, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Oxford, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Southbury, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook, Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock.
About the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition
PRWC’s mission is to ensure plentiful high quality water in the Pomperaug Watershed communities through the use of science and education. We share our knowledge and expertise with others committed to the protection of the vital water resources upon which we all depend. PRWC accomplishes its mission by employing the latest science to advance best management of the watershed and by creating a partnership of local governments, businesses, private individuals, scientists and environmental groups who work collaboratively to protect the health and vibrancy of the Watershed.
PRWC’s programs and services include: development and acquisition of scientific watershed and river data; provision of technical assistance on environmental challenges; and facilitation of educational programs. All of PRWC’s programs and activities underscore our collective roles as stewards of our environment and promote good habits to keep our watershed and rivers healthy.
About the CPV Towantic Energy Center
The CPV Towantic Energy Center (CPV Towantic) is an 805-megawatt, natural-gas-fueled combined-cycle electric generating facility operating in the Woodruff Hill Industrial Park in Oxford, Connecticut. The facility generates enough electricity to power nearly 800,000 homes, helping Connecticut to safely meet its demand for energy with reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible low emissions generation. Displacing the need for older, less efficient generators, CPV Towantic lowers overall emissions and improves the state’s environmental profile. CPV Towantic’s innovative design also incorporates advanced air-cooling technology which conserves natural resources by reducing water use by approximately 85% compared to traditional facilities. The project is owned by Competitive Power Ventures, Inc. and its partners, including Osaka Gas USA, and is being managed by CPV and operated by NAES Corporation. For more information: http://cpv.com/our-projects/cpv-towantic/
