Resident warns sewering could deplete aquifer; selectmen to invite CT Water for answers

An extended discussion on water resources dominated the Board of Selectmen's meeting on July 27 after Chair asked resident Joe Camian to present materials he had submitted about local groundwater conditions.

Camian described recent observations of brooks and ponds running dry, reported seeing Connecticut Water's "emergency water" trucks on July 4 and warned that state-mandated sewer projects that pump wastewater to New London could dewater local aquifers. "It's an $85,000,000 bill, and it's going to dewater our aquifers," Camian said, urging updated state-level studies and attention to potential saltwater intrusion. He cited NASA groundwater mapping and concerns about abandoned wells providing a path for intrusion and suggested Brownfield or grant-based steps for longer-term study and remediation.

Select members said Camian raised points the board has debated for years and agreed the next steps should include contacting Connecticut Water for details about recent truck activity, whether water was being shipped in or out, and to invite the company's representative to a future meeting. "We need to have a serious discussion on how we proceed to even begin to wrap our minds around what is our capacity," a select member said, urging a rigorous inventory of town-owned and private well capacity and condition. Board members also noted a current moratorium on new Connecticut Water hookups and emphasized that some well- and resource-related data may be sensitive.

The board directed staff to attempt to secure Connecticut Water's participation at a meeting and to request available data on recent trucking, well counts and extraction rates; they also agreed to explore state resources or grants for more detailed testing and to keep water resources on future agendas.