Every time it rains in West Hartford, it’s a reminder that our sewage and drainage systems are at risk of serious overload. The heavier the rain, the more ominous the conditions.

Why? The system, was designed to keep sewage separate from drainage–in separate pipes. But as the system has aged, cracks in sewer pipes let more and more groundwater in where it shouldn’t be. The problem is compounded by the unauthorized use of sump pumps, roof leaders, and illegal drainage connections that send storm water to sewage pipes.

Now, during rainy weather, storm water frequently fills sewage pipes beyond their capacity and they overflow. Residents of West Hartford see the results with overflowing manholes, basement backups, and even raw sewage discharges into Trout Brook and the South Branch of the Park River. And it’s getting worse.

Over 1 billion gallons of untreated Sewage overflows every year in Greater Hartford
But the MDC has a solution – The Clean Water Project

In 2006 the MDC reached a Consent Decree with the U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate illegal discharges from our sewers within 12 years. Also in 2006, the MDC reached a Consent Order with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) and will also address the CTDEP's requirements to reduce nitrogen levels, which impact Long Island Sound.

The Clean Water Project will improve the sewer system in West Hartford and other MDC towns. The project will reduce sewer overflows into local waterways; increase the sewer system capacity in West Hartford and enable the MDC sewer system to bring more waste to the Hartford Water Pollution Control Facility for treatment.