The Water Pollution Control Authority has the responsibility for approving sanitary sewer construction plans and operating the sewage system. The Authority levies benefit assessments, award contracts, selects engineers and applied for state and federal funds as specified in the Connecticut General Statutes.
2006/2007 Annual Report
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
The Water Pollution Control Authority (W.P.C.A.) established in 1966 was originally known as the Sewer Commission. The Water Pollution Control Authority has the responsibility for approving sanitary sewer construction plans and operating the sewerage system. The Authority levies benefit assessments, awards contracts, selects engineers and applies for state and federal funds as authorized in the Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 103 and the Town of South Windsor Ordinances 103 and 150.
Project Approvals
The W.P.C.A. approved 45 new residential unit connections.
The Authority also approved 8 new commercial projects during the past year including the retail buildings - Evergreen Walk (Phase III) which included L.L. Bean, and Aldi Distribution Facility, a 500,000 square foot commercial complex on Rye Street.
The Authority also approved the connection for the new Fire/Ambulance Facility on Sullivan Avenue.
During this past year, the W.P.C.A. approved new regulations for the control of excessive discharges of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) into the sanitary sewer system. These new FOG regulations were intended to reduce or eliminate problems resulting from sewers clotted by fats, oils, and grease. Such problems include sewer backups and overflows, and interference with treatment processes at the Water Pollution Control Facility.
Design plans for the upgrade of the Town's Water Pollution Control Facility on Vibert Road were completed during the past year, and these plans were sent to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for their review. The Town intended to finance these improvements through the State Clean Water Fund (CWF.) The CWF provides grants (20% and 30%), and a low interest (2%) loan. However, State funding for CWF has been inadequate in recent years to meet the demand for projects prepared to move forward with construction.
The W.P.C.A. and the Town Council, recognizing that with construction costs increasing every year, "to do nothing" was not a viable option. Therefore, the Town requested from the State DEP a deviation from the CWF regulations. In so doing the Town was able to move forward with this project while retaining its eligibility for future CWF grants and loans.
The W.P.C.A. annually reviews twenty year projections of expenditures and revenues for both operations and capital budgets in order to prepare to meet future financial needs. It is in this way that the Authority has been able to create and maintain a stable sewer user charge system.
The Future
The W.P.C.A. is involved in working together with other Boards and Commissions in cooperative efforts to meet Town Strategic Plan goals and objectives.
The W.P.C.A. has participated in leadership round table meetings which bring together the chairmen of various Town boards, the Town Manager, Town Council members and the Mayor to discuss common goals and issues, and to improve communication and promote cooperation.
JOSEPH J. CARINO, Chairperson
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