Presentation
Community Systems 101
Presented by Thom Knowlton, P.E.
Senior Water & Wastewater Engineer
Milone & MacBroom, Inc.
Presented to the Connecticut Association of Water Pollution Control Authorities | April 26, 2013
Community Systems 101
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)
Community Systems 101
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
Eden Harbour Active Adult Condominium Community
Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Community Systems 101
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
Conventional system with design flow greater than 2000
gallons per day but less than 5000 gallons per day
Alternative treatment with design flow less than 5000 gallons
per day
Local Health Department in the
town the site is located
DPH Sewage Program
(860) 509-7296
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
Community System
Any system utilizing alternative treatment, regardless of size
DEEP Subsurface Sewage
Disposal Program
(860) 424-3018
Community Systems 101
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.
Community Systems 101
What other ways do Community Sewerage
Systems impact WPCA’s?
Planning?
Mapping?
Construction Inspection?
Long-term Oversight?
Yes
Community Systems 101
Water Pollution Control Plan
CGS 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
Community Systems 101
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
Community Systems 101
Sewer Service Area Map
Example Sewer Service Area Map
Community Systems 101
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
Community Systems 101
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
Community Systems 101
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
Faith Ministries Church
New Milford, Connecticut
Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort
20 Temporary Housing Trailers Connected to SSDS
Community Systems 101 - Summary
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