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The Fenton River
University Impact Awareness,
Water Conservation Efforts, and Progress
a drying river-
where the splash of life
is drained away.
Haiku by: Jessica LaRocca
Background and University Useage
The University of Connecticut is allowed to draw approximately 844,300 gallons of water a day from its wellfields near the Fenton River,and approximately 2.3 million gallons from the Willimantic River wellfields. On average, the Unviersity water Supply System serves a demand of 1.3 million gallons of water per day to the students, administration ,faculty, staff, and cimmunity members sharing in its supply.
In early September 2005, a about a 1/4 mile stretch of the Fenton River ran dry. In a letter of concern to the DEP, in response to this event, the following statement was made:
"The University believes that withdrawals from its well fields required to meet seasonally peak demands, concurrently during extreme dry condition in the summer of 2005, contributed to the drying of the Fenton River running through the vicinity of the well fields.
In response to this event, the University made considerable to efforts to review, improve, and implement emergency and long-standing water conservation goals for the campus and surrounding communities dependant on the university water supply."
UConn Responds
As a result of this correspondance and concern, the University of Connecticut committed to the following Restorative Measures in response to the drying out:
- Re-stock 1000 catch-able size brown trout in the Fenton River in Spring 2006
- Promote greater public access it UConn-owned property for fishing along the Fenton River, including conservation and public access easements in favor of DEP as grantee (including access to sites in the Fenton Forest Tract/East campus and Moss Tract/Willington)
- Conduct a study about re-colonization of invertebrates in the stretch of the Fenton River that was dry from September 9-15
- Reimburse DEP for natural resources lost and staff time spent investigating the fish kill and conditions of the Fenton River
Additional Water Conservation measures included:
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Continue voluntary and mandatory conservation measures already implemented until seasonally normal stream flow is restored
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Hire an expert water conservation consultant to assist the University to identify and implement additional conservation measures
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Implement Water Conservation Outreach, Education, and Awareness Plan developed by the University’s Environmental Policy Advisory Council Water Conservation workgroup, especially the Student Affairs’ Division of Residential Life outreach components in dormitories and other on-campus student housing
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Complete campus-wide water supply sub-metering program to enable real-time, on-line monitoring of water use in specific buildings, for the purposes of:
- Verifying conformance with conservation measures
- Measuring reduced demand achieved through conservation
There were also several Water Supply System Assessment and Improvements listed:
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By the close of the current construction season, complete water system improvements to pumps and wells of UConn’s Willimantic river well field and to a 2,000 foot stretch of water main coming for that well field to the main campus, which together will increase capacity 250,000- 300,000 GPD (to 1.5 MGD collectively from the Willimantic well field), thereby reducing reliance on the Fenton wells during periods of low flows and high demand
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Complete the Fenton River Instream Flow and Aquatic Habitat Study, including management recommendations for pumping the wells in order to minimize impact on the river, by this Fall (’05); include opportunities for review and comment on the final draft report by the Fenton Study Technical Advisory Group (TAG)
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Conduct an analysis of existing water distribution system including the condition of existing mains and critical areas that may be at risk for significant water losses
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Pursuant to the terms of a pending DPH consent order, engage a professional operator to manage UConn’s Water Supply System.
Click here to view the water conservation action plan listings
Water Conservation helps!
Voluntary measures after September 9 reduced campus water consumption by 100-150,000 GPD!
Water Conservation Webpage
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