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HISTORIC BASE LINE DATA: 1980
HVCEO REPORT ON POOTATUCK AQUIFER
Considered of perhaps the highest priority in the Region for urgent protection measures, the Pootatuck Valley is characterized by both major water supply potential and imminent hazards from potential development.

Located in east-central Newtown, this northward draining stream valley comprises about 3.9 square miles of direct recharge area and 4.8 square miles of indirect recharge. U.S. Geological Survey studies, including a recent special hydrological investigation of this valley, indicate that a very large portion - perhaps 80% - of this large aquifer is composed of coarse-grained materials. Saturated depth appears to reach 100 feet or more, and water quality is generally favorable.

The evaluation by USGS of the Pootatuck aquifer’s characteristics produced major conclusions as follows. Estimated yield capacity of the stratified drift aquifer, under “long-term average conditions”, and based on two favorable potential well locations plus capacity use (1.5 mgd) of the existing Fairfield Hills Hospital wells, would be a total of about 4 million gallons per day.

Under conditions of capacity pumping (4 mgd), about 65% of the withdrawn water would be derived from the Pootatuck River as induced recharge (and 35% derived from ground water recharge).

Prolonged droughts would significantly reduce the amount of water available for pumping, as a result of low streamflow. Two potentially favorable well sites, both underlain by thick, permeable sand and gravel, are recommended for exploration. Surface water samples in the Pootatuck River meet Conn. Department of Health drinking water standards, except for excessive coliform bacteria.

Groundwater samples also meet these standards (except for one sample with high cadmium concentration. Water from both surface and ground sources is low in dissolved solids and soft to moderately hard.

The Pootatuck valley is still largely rural and undeveloped, but there are a number of land use sites of concern, all located on or immediately adjacent to direct recharge areas.

These include: a large, heavy industrial plant (metal smelting and refining) off High Bridge Road; the Town sanitary landfill, near Peck’s Lane; 3 industrial waste disposal sites (one site on Route 25 north of Peck’s Lane-metals; two sites east of RR south of Turkey Hill Road - other materials, established association with groundwater contamination); one site with permitted industrial effluent discharge (route 25 vicinity); 3 road salt stockpiles (1 Town and 1 State at Sandy Hook, and 1 town near Newtown landfill); and 2 sewage treatment plants (Fairfield Hills Sate Hospital, and Newtown Middle School).

In addition, the southern (upstream) portion of the aquifer in the vicinity of Route 25 is in an area of extensive gravel mining, small industrial plants and general commercial uses. Significant uses along route 34, at the northern portion of the aquifer, include the small commercial center of Sandy Hook, the High School, a small industrial plant, and the I-84 expressway interchange.

Scattered low density residential, wetlands along the river, and agricultural uses (primarily at upper end of aquifer, near Huntingtown, comprise other major land use features. Public sewers serve the densely developed State Hospital and are in early planning stages for the central (village) section of Newtown. Four impaired-quality and one contaminated well have been identified near the industrial-waste disposal site in the Pootatuck Valley near Route 25.

Potential problems may arise in other quarters. Quite large areas are presently zoned for industrial use along Peck’s Land, lower Route 25, and in Botsford, and additional area for industrial use extending northward from Botsford (along the aquifer) is proposed by the Town Plan. also being planned for this area, by the State, is a new route 25 expressway - to be constructed northward along the aquifer, or valley corridor, with interchanges at Botsford Road and I-84.

Newtown is in urgent need of an augmented water supply, because of the growth of the community and increasing coliform levels at Taunton Pond, the present central area water supply (which suffers from an unprotected watershed). The Pootatuck aquifer, is adequately protected, has the capacity to provide up to 2.5 mgd. This capacity should be reserved primarily for meeting the future public needs of the Town.

Serious consideration should be given to a major reduction of the industrial development potential of the immediate aquifer area, substituting an emphasis on attracting more compatible uses (such as research, corporate office, and non-waste-producing uses) and on lower site coverage.

Conversely, to discourage intensive development on recharge areas the large (almost entirely undeveloped) valley area south of Route 34 should be considered for change from its present one-acre residential zoning to a lower density (such as two-acre residential).

Strict prohibition of all future deleterious discharges is a “must” as are stringent standards for on-site sewage disposal, stormwater recharge, and site coverage limitation. Elimination of landfill and salt storage should be accomplished as soon as possible. finally, preservation of wetland, flood plain and farmland, and acquisition of strategic open space should be vigorously pursued.

UPDATE ON POOTATUCK
AQUIFER AS OF 2004
As the U.S. EPA has given the Pootatuck Aquifer a special protection designation, the EPA detailed statement on the Pootatuck and map of area protected are of interest.

According to the 2003 Newtown Plan of Conservation and Development, “The United Water Company (UWC) obtains water supplied to its Newtown customers exclusively from two wells located in the Pootatuck Aquifer. These wells are located in the southern area of Town. Currently, United Water Company pumps an average of 437,000 gallons per day, with peak pumping demand of around 700,000 gallons per day. UWC’s wells have a sustained yield of 1,500,000 gallon per day.”

Continuing, “UWC is currently planning on developing a new well in the Pootatuck Aquifer, in the Sandy Hook area of Town and UWC is also considering the possibility of developing additional water resources outside of the Pootatuck Aquifer.” Also, “In 2000 the PZC rezoned land in support of aquifer protection and sewer avoidance."

"The Town is currently considering making a request to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to update the 1978 USGS study of the Pootatuck Aquifer and further evaluate the affects of ground water withdrawal on aquatic habitat within the sole source Pootatuck Aquifer.” A Plan goal includes “updating the research and mapping of the Pootatuck Aquifer that was originally done in the late 1970's and early 1980's.”

Note also that the Town of Newtown has obtained water withdrawal rights along a segment of this aquifer. Users of this water supply include the Town Offices at Fairfield Hills, the Garner Correctional Institution, Read Intermediate School and the Nunnawauk Meadows senior housing. Additional future users may include businesses locating at the redeveloped Fairfield Hills Campus. Aquarion Water Company serves as system operator for the Town of Newtown.

CT DPH ASSESSMENT OF WELL
FIELD IN POOTATUCK AQUIFER
Also of interest will be the CT Department of Public Health's assessment of the United Water Company's well field within the Pootatuck Aquifer.

DEP MANDATORY REGULATORY
AREA IN POOTATUCK AQUIFER
The CT Department of Environmental Protection provides a map of the mandatory regulatory area, the southern aquifer as shown on this Newtown map.