Water

1. Eagleville Brook TMDL

2. Level A Aquifer Mapping

3. Fenton River Macroinvertebrate Re-colonization Study

4. UConn Water System Conservation Altert

1. Eagleville Brook TMDL

To improve the overall water quality of Eagleville Brook, UConn carefully reviews all new construction projects within the watershed to ensure that additional impervious surfaces can be effectively off-set, and is pursuing a two-year study to identify where to retro-fit new drainage features that will promote more infiltration and less stormwater discharges. This is done in support of the DEP’s Total Maximum Daily Load analysis for Eagleville Brook. The TMDL concluded that the amount of impervious surfaces (roadways, sidewalks, rooftops) contributed to the impaired water quality and established the goal of a 59%-reduction of on-campus impervious surfaces that are in the Eagleville Brook watershed. MORE

2. Level A Aquifer Mapping

The “Level A” maps prepared by UConn outline the aquifer protection areas surrounding its water supplies along the Willimantic and Fenton Rivers. These maps were approved by the CT DEP Aquifer Protection Program. Also, the town of Mansfield and Coventry have incorporated the UConn aquifer protection areas into their municipal mapping. MORE

3. Fenton River Macroinvertebrate Re-Coloniazation Study

UConn continues to monitoring macroinvertebrate aquatic life in the Fenton River and has been for two-plus years since the drought and subsequent flooding in 2005. The results are very encouraging. The drought and flood had a short term impact to macroinvertebrate life, but we’ve seen an increase in population and diversity followed by a consistent seasonal trend. See our annual reports from 2006 and 2007.

4. UConn Water System Conservation Alert

UConn issued a Water Conservation Alert on August 6, 2007, asking system users to conserve water because stream flows in the Fenton River were low. By early September 2007, stream flows still had not recovered and the University moved to a Drought Watch and immediately initiated mandatory conservation measures. Room temperatures were raised 4 degrees and breakfast and lunch were served on paper plates and in plastic cups at dining halls to reduce dish washing. Mandatory conservation measures were lifted in late October. However, the University continues to request that water users voluntarily conserve, and has maintained self-imposed limits on campus irrigation and vehicle washing. MORE