House Republican Press Release

February 27, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

State DEP Awards Stratford $55 Million to Upgrade Treatment Plant

HARTFORD – State Reps. John Harkins, R-Stratford, and Stratford Mayor James R. Miron today announced the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded the Town of Stratford $55 million during the next three years to upgrade its sewer treatment plant.

The wastewater treatment plant was last fully upgraded in 1971. In anticipation of the issuance of the general permit for the reduction of nitrogen from publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities, the town made interim modifications to enhance nitrogen removal at the plant.  The January 2002 issue of the general permit allows the town to make long-needed modifications to the facility.

Facility planning, the first phase of this three-phase project, has been completed.  The facility plan evaluated the sewer service area, wastewater treatment facility, collection system and presented alternatives for expansion and refurbishment of the sewerage facilities for the Water Pollution Control Authority to decide which would best meet the future needs and requirements of the town and Long Island Sound nitrogen reduction requirements.

The design of the upgrade, the second phase of this project, is now complete.  This design includes refurbishment of all aspects of the facility, new odor control facilities, as well as an upgrade to enable the facility to more effectively remove nitrogen. The completed project is anticipated to promote the continued high water quality of the ground water, the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound.

“"This is an important town project which is long overdue,” said Rep. Harkins, who serves as an Assistant Minority Leader. “This upgraded facility will be more efficient treating wastewater and is anticipated to be more neighborhood friendly in terms of odor control.  I am grateful to Mayor Miron for lending his support to this project.  It is imperative for Stratford to have a unified voice when fighting for state funding of important projects such as this." 

"Stratford's treatment plant has not undergone any major upgrades in thirty years," said Mayor Miron, "This funding will ensure these improvements, which are so badly needed to protect both the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound, will bring Stratford in compliance with the Clean Water Act."