Intern Rain Garden
A team of interns from the Metropolitan District’s
(MDC) Diversity Internship Program completed the
design and installation of a rain garden for the Storrs
Mansion on Farmington Avenue in Hartford. Over
the course of six weeks, the students learned about
and were involved in every aspect of the project.
The interns designed and chose the location of the
project, secured necessary permits required for its
implementation, held fundraising activities to defray
the costs, and spent two days constructing the garden
to complete this worthwhile project. The 150 square
foot rain garden is filled with 58 native plants that will
collect and absorb rain water from the property to
reduce the amount that enters the storm drains. This
collection of stormwater runoff reduces the amount of
polluted water that reaches local streams and ponds,
lowers the frequency of flash flooding and helps to
maintain natural water table levels.
The interns were advised by MDC’s Senior Engineering
staff, who offered assistance with planning, surveying
and installation to ensure that the rain garden’s
design met industry standards and was completed on
schedule.
The MDC’s Diversity Internship Program is a highlycompetitive summer program targeted specifically
for college students from diverse backgrounds. The
program includes a 10-12 week internship program
where students are expected to apply classroombased knowledge to the work environment. Students
participate in semi-monthly workshops which cover a
variety of topics including networking, resume critique,
and interview skills and techniques, as well as the
benefits of working in the private and public sector.
Those interested in learning more about the Diversity
Internship Program can obtain more information by
visiting www.themdc.com.
The Metropolitan District
Water Boot Camp Expands Students’ Career Choices
As members of the baby boomer generation employed
in the water industry near retirement, the next
ten years have the potential to be a time of career
opportunity for young people. As part of an effort to
generate interest in this field, the MDC, in conjunction
with the CT Chapter of the American Water Works
Association (AWWA), hosted a Water Boot Camp last
summer for high school students from Hartford, East
Hartford and the CT River Academy. The purpose
of the program was for students to experience the
different types of jobs and careers that are available
in the public drinking water industry, with a primary focus
on environmental careers. Students spent a week at MDC
facilities, interacting with MDC employees while observing
the work that they do. They also learned how these
employees became interested in working for the MDC and
what qualifications are necessary to be considered for jobs
in the field. In many cases, this expands the students’ career
horizons beyond what their life experiences to date have led
them to imagine.
To receive an electronic version
of Newsline, send an email to:
[email protected].
West primary settling tanks
Construction milestones at the
Hartford Water Pollution Control
Facility (HWPCF) have been reached
on schedule. All the while MDC has
maintained full operation of the
largest wastewater treatment plant in
Connecticut. The HWPCF treats more
than 22 billion gallons of wastewater
annually from residents and businesses
throughout much of the District’s
area. That’s more than 42,000 gallons
every minute of every day! Upgrades
at the plant are a major component
of the Clean Water Project, which will
increase the facility’s capacity to handle
the wastewater it receives and reduce
the level of nitrogen it discharges into
the Connecticut River and ultimately
Long Island Sound.
Follow
@mdctrafficinfo
on twitter
Like us on
Facebook
The Metropolitan District PO Box 800, Hartford, CT 06142-0800, www.themdc.com
Newsline, Winter 2013
of a series, will tackle the immediate
concerns with concrete condition,
controls, piping, water systems
and large compressors. The current
computer controls will also be
upgraded to modern technology to
allow operational staff to optimize
the process quality, further reducing
nitrogen levels, while minimizing
electrical usage.
Throughout the improvement process,
plant staff continues to meet with local
businesses to report on the status of
ongoing MDC odor control initiatives
and plant construction activities. A new
activated carbon odor control system
has been placed into service and has
greatly added to the HWPCF’s ability
to minimize offsite odors that could
impact local businesses.
On the last day, a graduation ceremony took
place where students made presentations to the
audience of invited guests about what they had
learned at the Boot Camp, and received certificates
from the US EPA and the CT Section of AWWA.
Keep informed
about traffic
delays BEFORE
you’re caught
up in one!
Your Update on the MDC and its Clean Water Project Significant Progress Made on Upgrades
at Hartford Treatment Plant
To engage the ten students selected for the camp, specific
themes were developed for each day. Students learned about
environmental management, the science of water
treatment, water quality and field operations. The
curriculum included science concepts, presentations
by company employees, and field exercises such as
a watershed delineation and land use monitoring
activity. The Boot Camp was held at MDC’s
Reservoir 6 in West Hartford.
STAY INFORMED – Sign up for
the MDC’s E-NEWSLETTER!
www.themdc.com
Page 4
One of the projects
nearing completion
is the Waste Heat
Recovery Project.
Wastewater
treatment is energy
intensive due to all
of the processes and
equipment needed
to meet stringent CT
DEEP permit limits.
Each day the Hartford
WPCF uses about
3.5 megawatts (one
megawatt equals
one million watts) of
electricity, roughly
Newsline, Winter 2013
equivalent to having 35,000 one
hundred watt light bulbs working 24/7!
The heat recovery project will allow
heat recovered from sludge incineration
at the HWPCF to be used to produce
clean, renewable electricity, accounting
for 40% of the plant’s electrical needs.
To better disinfect wastewater, a new
ultraviolet disinfection system has been
installed. It replaces the use of chlorine
to disinfect wastewater. This light-based
disinfection process was successfully
operated during the 2012 season.
The condition of the original 40+
year-old aeration
tanks is also being
addressed. This
project, the first
Looking ahead, the master plan for
the plant emphasizes the importance
of expanding the wet-weather flow
capacity of the HWPCF as a means of
continuing to improve (along with
nitrogen reduction) the water quality in
the Connecticut River and Long Island
Sound. Design on the first component,
a new influent pump station and
preliminary treatment facility will be
completed in 2013, with construction to
follow. Design of the two deep tunnels,
capable of storing excessive flows
during heavy rainstorms until the plant
is ready to receive it, is expected to be
completed in 2014.
East primary settling tanks
Wet weather pumps
Page 1
Out with the Old and in with the New!
MDC Provides Water From its Reservoirs
MDC option to supply water to
UCONN relies upon existing,
available water resources
within its Barkhamsted and
Nepaug reservoirs – and NOT
the Farmington River as being
reported.
The MDC is one of three water companies asked to
participate in an Environmental Impact Evaluation
(EIE) to provide drinking water to the UCONN/
Storrs campus and the Town of Mansfield. The MDC
proposal involves using its existing, available water
supply to address the future needs of UCONN and
the Town of Mansfield. This supply would come
directly from its existing reservoirs—Barkhamsted
and Nepaug—and is not dependent upon any draws
directly from the Farmington River. The portion of
the Farmington River watershed which serves the
MDC reservoirs is only 14% of the total 609 square
miles of Farmington River watershed. Should the MDC
option be selected, these reservoirs would still have
sufficient water capacity for the MDC to meet its
safe yield requirement through 2060 and continue
to satisfy the potable water needs of our existing
and expanded customer base far into the future.
Any proposal chosen would require a large capital
investment; however the expense to bring water
from the most eastern reaches of the MDC system
to Mansfield would not be borne by our existing
customer base. In fact, increasing our customer
base would allow MDC to stabilize our water rates
over the long-term for all customers.
As we see it, the MDC is the preferred alternative
for the EIE and the only proposal that can support
the project using existing transmission mains,
treatment facilities and distribution system and
allows the MDC to remain an environmental steward
of the Farmington River.
To learn more and stay informed about this
proposed project, visit www.themdc.com to read
our FAQs Regarding MDC Water to UCONN.
entering your home and the
information is then used to produce
your water bill.
The Metropolitan District began
working in Windsor, Bloomfield and
Newington as they continue with
the installation of the MDC Radio
Frequency Program. New automated
meter reading devices are being
installed that ensure accurate
readings without the need for
estimated billing and meter reading
post cards. MDC Radio Frequency
installation is easy and free.
MDC Radio Frequency is an
automated meter reading program
that sends a low-powered radio
signal from a device connected
to your water meter. A computer
equipped van drives down the
street and automatically reads your
water meter. This allows the MDC to
accurately read your meter without
Rain Barrel Program
MDC WARNS OF SUSPECTED IMPOSTERS
The MDC is advising customers to be alert for potential imposters by following these tips:
•MDC field employees wear clothing and drive vehicles clearly marked with the MDC logo.
•The MDC encourages customers to ask for identification from anyone who comes to their
door. All MDC employees have photo identification badges and will gladly display them upon
request. The policy is “No Identification – No Entry.”
•If you have any doubt about the individual’s identity or motives, or authenticity of their
credentials, do not allow them entry into your home and call the police.
A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater
from a house’s roof by diverting runoff
from the downspout of the house’s
gutter system. The stored rainwater can
then be used as a free source of clean
•To verify identification and that the individual is a representative of the MDC, you can also
call 860-278-7850 ext. 3600.
Newsline, Winter 2013
In 2012, the MDC launched a highly
successful Rain Barrel Program. Rain
barrel demonstration displays were
set up in public buildings in each of
the eight member towns. The displays
were designed to show the many
benefits of harvesting rainwater such
as saving customers money on their
water bill, reducing stormwater runoff,
and preserving the environment The
program proved to be a resounding
success as the MDC distributed
approximately 800 rain barrels to its
customers!
Page 2
Newsline, Winter 2013
Two weeks before MDC Radio
Frequency is installed in your area,
you will receive a letter in the
mail from the MDC requesting
you to contact the authorized
installation contractor, Contract
Callers, Inc. (CCI). There will
be a phone number for you
to call to make an installation
appointment.
On your scheduled installation date,
an identified CCI installer will install
the new MDC Radio Frequency
device directly to your water meter.
Installation generally takes less
than an hour. In most cases the
water meter will be replaced during
the installation process to ensure
compatibility with the device. The
panel installed outside can usually
be located on the side of the house
near other utility devices. A quality
inspection will be conducted on
some properties following the
installation by MDC inspectors to
verify that the device was properly
installed.
Customers may call the MDC at
(860) 278-7850 ext. 3600 to verify
that installers are in your area. All
installation activities are registered
with your local police department.
Please note that all MDC and
CCI personnel will have MDC
identification badges and will be
driving vehicles with MDC and CCI
logos. For more information please
visit wwwthemdc.com.
water for a number of outdoor uses,
such as watering plants and gardens,
or washing cars. Using a rain barrel can
help the average homeowner save about
1,300 gallons of water during peak
summer months, which in turn can lead
to lower water bills.
Election Day 2012 was a historic day for
the Metropolitan District and each of its
member towns, as voters overwhelmingly
approved a referendum by a margin of
77% that authorized the MDC to issue
bonds and secure long-term financing to
access the funds necessary to continue
work on Phase II of the Clean Water Project.
The $800 million authorized for Phase II of
the CWP will enable construction activity
to stay on track, ensure compliance with
federal and state mandates and allow the
MDC to continue to deliver its customers a
state of the art sewer system that will serve
generations to come.
In the first phase, work has been
completed on numerous projects. In
addition to the treatment plant upgrades,
the Homestead Avenue Interceptor
Extension was the largest project in Phase
I and involved the installation of a mile
long, five-foot diameter interceptor pipe.
Substantial progress has also been made on
the CWP’s sewer separation projects and
sewer lining repairs to prevent stormwater
inflow and infiltration which ultimately
reduces sewage overflows and backups,
paramount to the success of the project.
The construction of storage tunnels will be
the largest construction component of the
Clean Water Project. The South Storage
Tunnel will be an estimated 22 feet in
diameter and four miles long, storing up
to 60 million gallons of sewage overflows
until it can be released and treated at the
Hartford Water Pollution Control Facility.
In addition to saving money, rain
barrels provide a number of important
environmental benefits, including
reducing the amount of stormwater
that enters the sanitary sewer system
during rainstorms, which preserves pipe
capacity for sanitary sewage, limiting
sewage overflows into homes, streets
and local waterways. Rain barrels can
also help to curb pollution of local
waterways caused by urban runoff.
Rain barrels are available for purchase
at local-area hardware and home
improvement stores.
Clean Water
Project Update!
The South Storage Tunnel is currently in
design and construction is scheduled to
begin in 2015. The North Storage Tunnel
will be built in Phase III.
Rain barrels allow for recycling water, saving
money and reducing sewer overflows.
Page 3
Out with the Old and in with the New!
MDC Provides Water From its Reservoirs
MDC option to supply water to
UCONN relies upon existing,
available water resources
within its Barkhamsted and
Nepaug reservoirs – and NOT
the Farmington River as being
reported.
The MDC is one of three water companies asked to
participate in an Environmental Impact Evaluation
(EIE) to provide drinking water to the UCONN/
Storrs campus and the Town of Mansfield. The MDC
proposal involves using its existing, available water
supply to address the future needs of UCONN and
the Town of Mansfield. This supply would come
directly from its existing reservoirs—Barkhamsted
and Nepaug—and is not dependent upon any draws
directly from the Farmington River. The portion of
the Farmington River watershed which serves the
MDC reservoirs is only 14% of the total 609 square
miles of Farmington River watershed. Should the MDC
option be selected, these reservoirs would still have
sufficient water capacity for the MDC to meet its
safe yield requirement through 2060 and continue
to satisfy the potable water needs of our existing
and expanded customer base far into the future.
Any proposal chosen would require a large capital
investment; however the expense to bring water
from the most eastern reaches of the MDC system
to Mansfield would not be borne by our existing
customer base. In fact, increasing our customer
base would allow MDC to stabilize our water rates
over the long-term for all customers.
As we see it, the MDC is the preferred alternative
for the EIE and the only proposal that can support
the project using existing transmission mains,
treatment facilities and distribution system and
allows the MDC to remain an environmental steward
of the Farmington River.
To learn more and stay informed about this
proposed project, visit www.themdc.com to read
our FAQs Regarding MDC Water to UCONN.
entering your home and the
information is then used to produce
your water bill.
The Metropolitan District began
working in Windsor, Bloomfield and
Newington as they continue with
the installation of the MDC Radio
Frequency Program. New automated
meter reading devices are being
installed that ensure accurate
readings without the need for
estimated billing and meter reading
post cards. MDC Radio Frequency
installation is easy and free.
MDC Radio Frequency is an
automated meter reading program
that sends a low-powered radio
signal from a device connected
to your water meter. A computer
equipped van drives down the
street and automatically reads your
water meter. This allows the MDC to
accurately read your meter without
Rain Barrel Program
MDC WARNS OF SUSPECTED IMPOSTERS
The MDC is advising customers to be alert for potential imposters by following these tips:
•MDC field employees wear clothing and drive vehicles clearly marked with the MDC logo.
•The MDC encourages customers to ask for identification from anyone who comes to their
door. All MDC employees have photo identification badges and will gladly display them upon
request. The policy is “No Identification – No Entry.”
•If you have any doubt about the individual’s identity or motives, or authenticity of their
credentials, do not allow them entry into your home and call the police.
A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater
from a house’s roof by diverting runoff
from the downspout of the house’s
gutter system. The stored rainwater can
then be used as a free source of clean
•To verify identification and that the individual is a representative of the MDC, you can also
call 860-278-7850 ext. 3600.
Newsline, Winter 2013
In 2012, the MDC launched a highly
successful Rain Barrel Program. Rain
barrel demonstration displays were
set up in public buildings in each of
the eight member towns. The displays
were designed to show the many
benefits of harvesting rainwater such
as saving customers money on their
water bill, reducing stormwater runoff,
and preserving the environment The
program proved to be a resounding
success as the MDC distributed
approximately 800 rain barrels to its
customers!
Page 2
Newsline, Winter 2013
Two weeks before MDC Radio
Frequency is installed in your area,
you will receive a letter in the
mail from the MDC requesting
you to contact the authorized
installation contractor, Contract
Callers, Inc. (CCI). There will
be a phone number for you
to call to make an installation
appointment.
On your scheduled installation date,
an identified CCI installer will install
the new MDC Radio Frequency
device directly to your water meter.
Installation generally takes less
than an hour. In most cases the
water meter will be replaced during
the installation process to ensure
compatibility with the device. The
panel installed outside can usually
be located on the side of the house
near other utility devices. A quality
inspection will be conducted on
some properties following the
installation by MDC inspectors to
verify that the device was properly
installed.
Customers may call the MDC at
(860) 278-7850 ext. 3600 to verify
that installers are in your area. All
installation activities are registered
with your local police department.
Please note that all MDC and
CCI personnel will have MDC
identification badges and will be
driving vehicles with MDC and CCI
logos. For more information please
visit wwwthemdc.com.
water for a number of outdoor uses,
such as watering plants and gardens,
or washing cars. Using a rain barrel can
help the average homeowner save about
1,300 gallons of water during peak
summer months, which in turn can lead
to lower water bills.
Election Day 2012 was a historic day for
the Metropolitan District and each of its
member towns, as voters overwhelmingly
approved a referendum by a margin of
77% that authorized the MDC to issue
bonds and secure long-term financing to
access the funds necessary to continue
work on Phase II of the Clean Water Project.
The $800 million authorized for Phase II of
the CWP will enable construction activity
to stay on track, ensure compliance with
federal and state mandates and allow the
MDC to continue to deliver its customers a
state of the art sewer system that will serve
generations to come.
In the first phase, work has been
completed on numerous projects. In
addition to the treatment plant upgrades,
the Homestead Avenue Interceptor
Extension was the largest project in Phase
I and involved the installation of a mile
long, five-foot diameter interceptor pipe.
Substantial progress has also been made on
the CWP’s sewer separation projects and
sewer lining repairs to prevent stormwater
inflow and infiltration which ultimately
reduces sewage overflows and backups,
paramount to the success of the project.
The construction of storage tunnels will be
the largest construction component of the
Clean Water Project. The South Storage
Tunnel will be an estimated 22 feet in
diameter and four miles long, storing up
to 60 million gallons of sewage overflows
until it can be released and treated at the
Hartford Water Pollution Control Facility.
In addition to saving money, rain
barrels provide a number of important
environmental benefits, including
reducing the amount of stormwater
that enters the sanitary sewer system
during rainstorms, which preserves pipe
capacity for sanitary sewage, limiting
sewage overflows into homes, streets
and local waterways. Rain barrels can
also help to curb pollution of local
waterways caused by urban runoff.
Rain barrels are available for purchase
at local-area hardware and home
improvement stores.
Clean Water
Project Update!
The South Storage Tunnel is currently in
design and construction is scheduled to
begin in 2015. The North Storage Tunnel
will be built in Phase III.
Rain barrels allow for recycling water, saving
money and reducing sewer overflows.
Page 3
Intern Rain Garden
A team of interns from the Metropolitan District’s
(MDC) Diversity Internship Program completed the
design and installation of a rain garden for the Storrs
Mansion on Farmington Avenue in Hartford. Over
the course of six weeks, the students learned about
and were involved in every aspect of the project.
The interns designed and chose the location of the
project, secured necessary permits required for its
implementation, held fundraising activities to defray
the costs, and spent two days constructing the garden
to complete this worthwhile project. The 150 square
foot rain garden is filled with 58 native plants that will
collect and absorb rain water from the property to
reduce the amount that enters the storm drains. This
collection of stormwater runoff reduces the amount of
polluted water that reaches local streams and ponds,
lowers the frequency of flash flooding and helps to
maintain natural water table levels.
The interns were advised by MDC’s Senior Engineering
staff, who offered assistance with planning, surveying
and installation to ensure that the rain garden’s
design met industry standards and was completed on
schedule.
The MDC’s Diversity Internship Program is a highlycompetitive summer program targeted specifically
for college students from diverse backgrounds. The
program includes a 10-12 week internship program
where students are expected to apply classroombased knowledge to the work environment. Students
participate in semi-monthly workshops which cover a
variety of topics including networking, resume critique,
and interview skills and techniques, as well as the
benefits of working in the private and public sector.
Those interested in learning more about the Diversity
Internship Program can obtain more information by
visiting www.themdc.com.
The Metropolitan District
Water Boot Camp Expands Students’ Career Choices
As members of the baby boomer generation employed
in the water industry near retirement, the next
ten years have the potential to be a time of career
opportunity for young people. As part of an effort to
generate interest in this field, the MDC, in conjunction
with the CT Chapter of the American Water Works
Association (AWWA), hosted a Water Boot Camp last
summer for high school students from Hartford, East
Hartford and the CT River Academy. The purpose
of the program was for students to experience the
different types of jobs and careers that are available
in the public drinking water industry, with a primary focus
on environmental careers. Students spent a week at MDC
facilities, interacting with MDC employees while observing
the work that they do. They also learned how these
employees became interested in working for the MDC and
what qualifications are necessary to be considered for jobs
in the field. In many cases, this expands the students’ career
horizons beyond what their life experiences to date have led
them to imagine.
To receive an electronic version
of Newsline, send an email to:
[email protected].
West primary settling tanks
Construction milestones at the
Hartford Water Pollution Control
Facility (HWPCF) have been reached
on schedule. All the while MDC has
maintained full operation of the
largest wastewater treatment plant in
Connecticut. The HWPCF treats more
than 22 billion gallons of wastewater
annually from residents and businesses
throughout much of the District’s
area. That’s more than 42,000 gallons
every minute of every day! Upgrades
at the plant are a major component
of the Clean Water Project, which will
increase the facility’s capacity to handle
the wastewater it receives and reduce
the level of nitrogen it discharges into
the Connecticut River and ultimately
Long Island Sound.
Follow
@mdctrafficinfo
on twitter
Like us on
Facebook
The Metropolitan District PO Box 800, Hartford, CT 06142-0800, www.themdc.com
Newsline, Winter 2013
of a series, will tackle the immediate
concerns with concrete condition,
controls, piping, water systems
and large compressors. The current
computer controls will also be
upgraded to modern technology to
allow operational staff to optimize
the process quality, further reducing
nitrogen levels, while minimizing
electrical usage.
Throughout the improvement process,
plant staff continues to meet with local
businesses to report on the status of
ongoing MDC odor control initiatives
and plant construction activities. A new
activated carbon odor control system
has been placed into service and has
greatly added to the HWPCF’s ability
to minimize offsite odors that could
impact local businesses.
On the last day, a graduation ceremony took
place where students made presentations to the
audience of invited guests about what they had
learned at the Boot Camp, and received certificates
from the US EPA and the CT Section of AWWA.
Keep informed
about traffic
delays BEFORE
you’re caught
up in one!
Your Update on the MDC and its Clean Water Project Significant Progress Made on Upgrades
at Hartford Treatment Plant
To engage the ten students selected for the camp, specific
themes were developed for each day. Students learned about
environmental management, the science of water
treatment, water quality and field operations. The
curriculum included science concepts, presentations
by company employees, and field exercises such as
a watershed delineation and land use monitoring
activity. The Boot Camp was held at MDC’s
Reservoir 6 in West Hartford.
STAY INFORMED – Sign up for
the MDC’s E-NEWSLETTER!
www.themdc.com
Page 4
One of the projects
nearing completion
is the Waste Heat
Recovery Project.
Wastewater
treatment is energy
intensive due to all
of the processes and
equipment needed
to meet stringent CT
DEEP permit limits.
Each day the Hartford
WPCF uses about
3.5 megawatts (one
megawatt equals
one million watts) of
electricity, roughly
Newsline, Winter 2013
equivalent to having 35,000 one
hundred watt light bulbs working 24/7!
The heat recovery project will allow
heat recovered from sludge incineration
at the HWPCF to be used to produce
clean, renewable electricity, accounting
for 40% of the plant’s electrical needs.
To better disinfect wastewater, a new
ultraviolet disinfection system has been
installed. It replaces the use of chlorine
to disinfect wastewater. This light-based
disinfection process was successfully
operated during the 2012 season.
The condition of the original 40+
year-old aeration
tanks is also being
addressed. This
project, the first
Looking ahead, the master plan for
the plant emphasizes the importance
of expanding the wet-weather flow
capacity of the HWPCF as a means of
continuing to improve (along with
nitrogen reduction) the water quality in
the Connecticut River and Long Island
Sound. Design on the first component,
a new influent pump station and
preliminary treatment facility will be
completed in 2013, with construction to
follow. Design of the two deep tunnels,
capable of storing excessive flows
during heavy rainstorms until the plant
is ready to receive it, is expected to be
completed in 2014.
East primary settling tanks
Wet weather pumps
Page 1