Promoting Smart Growth with Wastewater Management Optimizing Conservation and Growth with Wastewater Management Strategies

In the past… “Sewer Avoidance” was a common municipal strategy or goal in the 1980s and 1990s. It sometimes led to towns avoiding appropriate solutions for neighborhoods under the guise of “growth control”. Towns viewed Sewer Avoidance as a “do- nothing” strategy that would cost them nothing, and get DEP “off their backs”.

No Effort = No Control Towns eventually found that “do-nothing” strategies often led to a loss of control of how the community developed. Without adequate staffing and management, towns had no basis to reject or modify proposals for development. Economic pressures allowed piecemeal development to occur.

The Smart Growth Approach The Goal: To create and maintain communities that blend open space desires and social needs in harmony. The Strategy: –First create the vision, –Then create a plan to get there, –Finally, be prepared to pay the cost.

How Does Wastewater Management Fit ? Water supply and wastewater disposal are limiting factors. Site conditions have limited the density of development in some areas. “Onsite Management” and “Decentralized Wastewater Management Districts” are the wastewater strategies currently being developed in CT communities.

Wastewater Technology: Nothing has Changed! Wastewater Treatment is still accomplished the same way: micro-organisms break down complex molecules into simpler ones. The numerous technologies available today have shrunk the size of the treatment units. Problem: the smaller the system, the more vulnerable it is to sudden variations in flow that may upset the treatment process.

Alternative Technology What is Alternative Technology? Who’s regulating it? Do we need AT in order to use Smart Growth strategies?

“Alternative sewage treatment system” is defined as “a system serving one or more buildings on one property which utilizes a method of treatment other than a subsurface sewage disposal system and which involves a discharge to the ground waters of the state”. (C.G.S. § 7-245(2)) The Statutory Definition

Alternative Technology Scaled-down versions of conventional treatment plants. Treatment is accomplished in the “black box” rather than in the soil. The soil is still needed for dispersal of the effluent.

Performance and Reliability Current data review indicates these systems are capable of high levels of treatment with proper design, installation, operation and maintenance These systems are permitted in conjunction with soil absorption systems designed for additional treatment for nutrients and pathogens Ground water monitoring results indicate water quality standards are achieved

A “community sewerage system” is defined as “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”. (C.G.S. § (3)) Another Statutory Definition

Regulatory Jurisdiction Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Alternative Sewage Treatment System Community Sewerage system (may be either conventional or AT) >5,000 gallons per day DEP >2,000 gallons per day and <5,000 gallons per day DPH reviews and approves Local Dept of Health issues permits to construct and discharge DEP (June S.S., P.A , Sec. 155, allows DPH jurisdiction for AT) DEP (June S.S., P.A , Sec. 155, allows DPH jurisdiction for AT) < 2,000 gallons per day with trained staff Local Dept of Health reviews, approves, and issues permits to construct and discharge DEP (June S.S., P.A , Sec. 155, allows DPH jurisdiction for AT) DEP (June S.S., P.A , Sec. 155, allows DPH jurisdiction for AT)

Types of AT Systems approved in CT Zenon membrane bioreactor Bioclere trickling filter FAST submerged media activated sludge Recirculating sand filter Rotating biological contactor Activated sludge Extended aeration Sequencing batch reactor (Amphidrome or other) White Knight aeration & biological enhancement Kubota membrane filtration Fluidyne ISAM Chromaglass All approvals are SITE SPECIFIC, not blanket approvals of technology.

Types of facilities using AT systems Residential communities Schools Restaurants Shopping plazas/malls Office buildings Marinas Grocery stores Hospitals Convalescent homes Assisted living Hotels Recreational facilities

Use of AT Systems in CT 22 systems installed for repair/ upgrade of existing failing or malfunctioning systems 34 systems proposed or installed for new development 2 systems installed for municipal use 3 towns investigating use of “decentralized wastewater management districts” which would potentially include AT systems for household and small commercial use Alternative on-site sewage treatment system prohibited in public water supply watersheds (CGS 22a-430) with some exceptions (i.e. schools, repairs)

Does Smart Growth Need AT ? Availability of suitable land for wastewater treatment and/or effluent dispersal is critical. Water conservation and creative re-use of treated effluent may reduce needed acreage, but won’t eliminate site constraints completely.

QUESTIONS ?