We are a coastal community. We have beaches and marinas. We have salt marshes and tidal inlets. We have parks with fantastic water views. “ Where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound.” The Sound and the River – Our Town’s Character

Our Actions Cannot Harm the Sound or the River We must correct the problems in our community. We must avoid solutions that pose threats to the environment.

Wastewater treatment systems have an impact on our marine resources. All wastewater treatment systems produce a discharge. The better the system – the cleaner the discharge. Dirty discharges hurt nearby marine or water resources. The EPA admits that the CT River was at one time called “America’s best landscaped sewer.”

The Sound, the River, and Our Local Economy Our local economy depends on tourism and recreation. We must preserve and protect our shoreline resources.

The DEP has taken action against Old Saybrook The DEP won a court order to force our community to take action. WPCA and consulting engineers did extensive research. Some commercial septic systems have required extensive repairs.

What’s the problem? My septic system is working just fine. The pollution that is seeping into the ground water cannot be seen. Some systems do not include grease traps or filters. Migrating solids and globules of “FOG” products are blocking the leaching systems.

They have cesspools -rock lined pits that are designed as holding tanks. Some homes don’t have septic systems.

The Proper Septic System Setting Ground Water Basement Septic Tank Septic System Effluent 18” Minimum Vertical Separation Distance Required Leaching Trenches

They are too close to the water table. The problem with many of the Septic Systems Separation distance not met. Effluent flows directly into groundwater.

Once in the ground water the contaminants may be transported into the Sound or the CT River. Contaminants are discharged directly into the ground water

Old Saybrook and the Watertable Waterfront Areas 6-48 inches feet Northern Sections

To maintain the quality of life in Old Saybrook, fundamental changes in wastewater management must be instituted. River and Sound Recharged with Drinking Quality Water.

What are our options? Centralized Treatment Plant. Develop a localized solution using new technology which is the right thing to do for the environment.

The Modern Treatment System Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Treatment

Step 1- Settling tank (Similar to a Septic Tank) Purpose is to remove solids and begin digestion process Step 2 - Oxidation Air introduced to promote waste breakdown on small volume. All remaining solids removed. Solids circulated between tanks to encourage breakdown. Fixed Media bed to grow biological agents that consume the waste Step 3 - Sterilization Ultraviolet light kills any viral or bacterial components. Clear plastic tubes expose water to UV Light

Drinking Quality Water will eventually find its way into the ground water. Step 4 – Sub-Surface Galleries (Similar to a Leaching Field) Water is then recharged to ground water through a series of sub-surface structures

WPCA Staff and Volunteers have developed a plan. Local Solution Environmentally Sensitive Most Cost-Effective Solution A 21 st Century Solution

WPCA Plan Components Aggressive management of septic systems. Limited high-tech modern treatment facility to deal with the most problematic areas. Develop a local solution for managing commercial properties.

Aggressive Management Failing systems identified. Letters to remind property owners to service grease traps and septic tanks. Creation of unique solutions for commercial properties. All systems upgraded over time.

Cooperation between the Old Saybrook Health Department and WPCA Five-Year Pump-Out Program (Database and letters). Random Inspection of systems, detailed information recorded in the database. Orders issued and repairs verified. (Several hundred systems repaired in the first five years). Management framework is in place.

Going Forward Continue Discussions with DEP for project approval. More importantly, work with local businesses in creating appropriate solutions for wastewater problems.

Project Status WPCA negotiating with DEP. Conditional Approval for Group A and B. Full agreement may take time to achieve. DEP has begun to recognize this solution as a possible model for other communities.