March 21 was Connecticut’s annual World Water Day event! 

This year, Save the Sound, The Nature Conservancy, Rivers Alliance, Clean Water Action, CT River Conservancy, CT Land Conservation Council, CT League of Conservation Voters, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, and other partners came together for a digital/virtual celebration exploring “Groundwater- Making the Invisible Visible.”

The Monday March 21, 2022 free online event included:

Welcome and Acknowledgements -  Remarks and acknowledgments from Governor Ned Lamont and Water Planning Council Chair Jack Betkoski

Fifty Years of the Clean Water Act – Holly Drinkuth, Director of Outreach and Watershed Projects, The Nature Conservancy

Groundwater 101 – Virginia de Lima, Director USGS Connecticut Water Science Center - Retired

Panel Discussion: Protecting Groundwater Protects Connecticut’s Future. Moderator: Alicea Charamut, Executive Director, Rivers Alliance of CT

Panelists

Bill Lucey, Soundkeeper, Save the Sound

Sharon Lewis, Executive Director, Environmental Justice Coalition

Melissa Mostowy, Natural Resource Specialist, Southwest Conservation District 

Wrap-up and Closing

Webinar Q&A:

Q.1: Is there some material that I can share with my neighbors and friends to help bring awareness of the importance of protecting our groundwater? 

A: Visit https://www.ourwaterct.org/#info to learn about threats to groundwater quality and quantity, and actions we can take now to help protect and conserve it for the future. 

Q.2: What are the risks to private wells in Connecticut and how often should water be tested? 

A: The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) estimates private residential wells serve about 23% of the State’s population. A checklist of best practices for testing and protecting well water from contaminants is available on their website. 

Q.3: What impact do fertilizers and chemicals used on lawns have on groundwater? Are organic lawn care practices or replacing grass with plants like clover better for groundwater? 

A: Conventional lawn chemicals can pollute surface and groundwater, harm wildlife and have adverse health effects on people and pets. Using pesticides to tackle weeds and pests can weaken grass and encourage disease by killing good organisms that help produce the nutrients plants need to grow. Grass lawns require more water and chemicals than native plants.  Reducing the size of your lawn, using plants like clover or replacing lawn with native plants, helps reduce water consumption, fixes nutrients for healthy soil and supports pollinators like bees and birds. Learn more about organic lawn care and the Connecticut Native Plant Initiative from UCONN’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. 

Q.4: Who should I contact if I have concerns about wetland activities?

A: Questions and concerns about inland wetland activities should be directed to your local municipal wetlands agent. Consult your town or city website or this directory for contact information. For concerns about coastal wetlands, contact CT DEEP Land and Water Resources Division.

Please read on to learn about Groundwater Threats and Actions in CT , then some Fun Water Facts .

Groundwater Threats and Actions

Why groundwater matters:

Even though we can’t see it, groundwater is critically important to everyone in Connecticut. Adequate groundwater levels keep our streams and rivers flowing during low precipitation periods, supporting fish, birds and other wildlife, sustaining recreational activities, and maintaining freshwater flows into Long Island Sound. Connecticut households use approximately 73 million gallons per day (MGD) of groundwater – from both community aquifers and private wells. Another 40 MGD are used in industry and roughly 13 MGD support crop irrigation, livestock, and aquaculture.  

Protecting clean and adequate groundwater protects Connecticut’s future.

Groundwater threats:

·         Changing precipitation patterns (increased drought periods and flashy storms that diminish groundwater recharge)

·         Changing population & increased demand

·         Overallocation & diversions

·         Lack of conservation & appropriate valuation

·         Aging & leaking infrastructure

·         Inadequate treatment of wastewater and stormwater

·         Pollutants and contaminants from activities on land

Everyone can help protect and conserve groundwater:

Keep it clean:

·         Reduce chemical use: Replace grass and plants that require fertilizer and pesticides with native plants, ground covers or landscaping that don’t. Use fewer chemicals around your home and replace with all natural/nontoxic household cleaners whenever possible.

·         Manage Waste: Properly dispose of house and lawn chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paint, motor oil, and other potentially toxic substances.

·         Upgrade community water infrastructure: Repair and upgrade leaking sewage pipes and outdated technologies to keep pollutants out of groundwater. Where possible, install or connect your home to a system that reduces nitrogen. Too much nitrogen in groundwater can cause health problems for people and harm water quality in lakes, rivers, bays, and Long Island Sound.

·         Inspect and maintain your septic system: Contract with a service provider to get your system pumped regularly and keep it working well. Failed systems can leak bacteria into drinking water. More info from Connecticut Department of Health.

Use it wisely:

·         Conserve at home: Water the lawn and plants during the coolest parts of the day and only when they truly need it. Make sure you, your family, and your neighbors obey any watering restrictions during dry periods. Install high-efficiency appliances and fixtures.

·         Fix leaks and drips: Check faucets, fixtures, toilets, and taps for leaks and repair or replace them right away.

·         Reduce your use: Shorten your shower by one minute, turn off the tap while you brush your teeth or shave. Try to run full loads when using the dish or clothes washer.

·         Green Infrastructure – Capturing rainwater promotes infiltration and helps to recharge groundwater.

·         Forests and River Buffers - Maintain forested and vegetated areas (particularly vegetated river buffers) and decrease impervious surfaces – This will not only reduce stormwater runoff and protect surface water quality but will also promote groundwater recharge.

Fun CT Water Facts

Abundant Rain and Snow: Connecticut is one of the top ten states in the nation for precipitation, getting 40 to 50 inches per year on average.

Water Bodies: According to Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, our state has about 450,000 acres of wetlands, 6,000 miles of streams and rivers, over 2,000 lakes and reservoirs, 618 miles of coastline and 600 square miles of estuarine water in Long Island Sound.

Valuable Groundwater: Connecticut’s natural aquifers provide storage for water underground, in the spaces between grains of sand and gravel, or in the cracks of bedrock. Groundwater supplies water for over 250,000 private wells and can replenish flow to streams in drought conditions.

Highest Standards for Drinking Water: Connecticut is one of only two states in the U.S. (the other is Rhode Island) that does NOT allow any surface supply of drinking water to be downstream of a wastewater treatment plant.

Ecologically Sensitive: Connecticut’s laws protect wetlands and our streamflow regulations protect the ecological needs of some rivers. These regulations require dam operators to release appropriate (seasonally variable) flows to support aquatic species/habitats.

Smart Planning for the Future: Connecticut developed a state water plan that integrates and balances the many demands on our state waters. Many states do not do water planning until there is a serious water supply crisis and/or water-related conflict.

About this website: OurWaterCT.org was created in 2018 by Rivers Alliance of CT and Save the Sound to educate people about the CT State Water Plan and to encourage participation in the creation of the Plan. After the successful passage of the Plan, Rivers Alliance began maintaining the website as a vehicle for presentations and events that were sponsored by multiple water advocacy groups. For more information about this website, or to suggest corrections or additions, please contact the Rivers Alliance of CT Websiter.

Click here for 2021 World Water Day in Connecticut archived information.