Town of Mansfield
Mansfield
Four Corners
Sewer & Water Project
June 16, 2009: Chapter 1 -- The Environmental Context and History of the Four Corners Area
 |
The Four Corners area (the roughly 500 acre area largely bounded by state routes 195 and 44 in Northern Mansfield) has long been known for its severely limited soils for on-site wastewater disposal. Over the years, septic systems have failed for homes and businesses alike, and to this day the soils severely limit the use of the land in this area. Numerous properties have had and continue to have chronic wastewater disposal difficulties due to a combination of the density of development, lot size and site constraint factors. Some of the properties within the four corners area have lot sizes or configurations that do not allow sufficient room to site a water supply well and a septic tank field in conformance with Connecticut Department of Health standards. Other parcels have existing development densities that cannot be supported within the parcel’s site constraints. |
In recent years 24 properties have had failed septic systems (13 residential and 11 commercial) and 7 parcels have had use restrictions placed on them by the Eastern Highlands Health District. The inability of the Jensen’s mobile home park to meet long-term septic system requirements was brought to the Town’s attention in 2004 by the CT DEP. Replacement of the commercial septic system at the Grand Union plaza is now under design. Other businesses have expressed their concern with the costs and lack of permanency in replacing their septic systems. The DEP has made it clear to the Town that if in studying the area, the Town finds that the most environmentally sound and cost-effective solution to the wastewater problems are sewers, it will require the Town to implement this solution to provide a long-term solution to the area’s chronic wastewater disposal problems.
Wastewater; however, is not the only environmental problem in the four corners area. The area closest to the actual intersection of routes 195 and 44 has experienced groundwater pollution problems that has affected area wells. Five (5) gas stations with underground storage tanks (UST) have been located in proximity to the area. All UST on these properties have been removed or upgraded, but evidence of leaks were observed at each of these locations. In 1984, drinking water contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was identified in private wells in the area. In 1987 the Town involved the CT DEP and Department of Health in studying the area. In 1988 subsequent to a preliminary investigation by the DEP, the DEP and DPH determined that conditions created an unacceptable risk of injury to the health and safety of persons using the ground water as a public or private source of water for drinking. In 1988 because a responsible party for the ground water contamination could not be determined, the Town was put on notice by the DEP that it is responsible, pursuant to state statutes for assuring portable water is provided to the area. In 1990 with guidance from the DEP, the Town implemented a long-term monitoring program for the area that involved annual VOC testing for 8 water supply wells in the area. This monitoring program continues to this day.
Of the original 8 water supply wells included in the monitoring program there are still 7 that are still tested annually. Since 1990, 10 different VOCs have been detected at the seven sites. Of these detections, four water supply wells contained contaminants that exceeded EPA maximum contaminate levels making them non-potable. All of these properties with historically non-potable water wells are commercial. The owners have taken on the responsibility of maintaining water treatment systems. Monitoring program data suggest that ground water quality in the area has improved over the years, presumably because the leaking USTs were removed. Currently while VOC detections in raw, untreated ground water continue in 3 of the 7 wells being monitored, none of these analysis exceed the EPA’s maximum contaminant levels.
As a result of the continuing wastewater and water contamination problems for this area (as well as additional reasons that will be explained in the following installments), water and sewer systems for the four corners area are being planned.
Next: Chapter 2 -- The Sewer Facilities Planning Effort (mid-July, 2009)
For more information …
Contact:
Lon Hultgren,
Director of Public Works
Storrs, CT 06268-2599
Phone: (860) 429-3332
Fax: (860) 429-6863
E-mail: HultgrenLR@MansfieldCT.org
Aerial View of the Intersection of Rtes 195 and 44
