Local DPUC Session On Water Line Extension Postponed To July 29

The state Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) postponed a public session originally scheduled for Thursday, June 17, in Newtown to air local concerns that the planned construction of a waterline extension from Newtown to the Greenridge residential section of Brookfield. The DPUC rescheduled the session for July 29 at a time and place in Newtown to be announced, according to First Selectman Pat Llodra, who learned of the postponement  Wednesday morning.

Town officials had hoped to delay the public session to enable them to gather more information and better prepare to formulate and address questions over whether the proposed waterline could adversely affect the Pootatuck Aquifer. Mrs Llodra said that State Senator John McKinney had secured for the town an agreement with DPUC to reschedule the session.

At the request of state officials, United Water has halted construction of the waterline extension project until local officials’ concerns about the project are resolved. United Water had started construction on the $4 million project along the southern end of Hawleyville Road late last month.

Town and borough officials have complained that United Water has not provided them with sufficient information to determine whether the project would have negative effects on Newtown.

A major concern involves whether the Pootatuck Aquifer holds a sufficient water reserve to extend the water system. Also, local officials have questions about the cost implications of planned water system improvements in Newtown, including some changes to water system connections for customers along the southern end of Main Street.

In January 2008, the DPUC and the state Department of Public Health (DPH) ordered United Water to provide potable water to Greenridge in Brookfield, off Route 25. Greenridge has a contaminated community water system. There are about 230 single-family houses in Greenridge, where the water system is fed by a series of wells tainted with naturally occurring uranium. Ingestion of uranium is considered harmful.