Branchville-Georgetown Sewer Feasibility Study
Purpose
To evaluate what sewer infrastructure improvements are needed for the Branchville section of Ridgefield and the Georgetown section of Redding to accommodate for future development.
Background
The Towns of Redding and Ridgefield have periodically discussed the needs for wastewater collection and treatment in the Branchville section of Ridgefield to support both existing and future development. Additionally, future development in the Georgetown section of Redding, particularly the Gilbert & Bennet Wire Mill, may also need sewer infrastructure improvements.
A 2017 Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) study for Branchville prepared for WestCOG noted that the study area lacked sewer service with all properties being dependent upon private septic systems. This is a significant constraint upon new development in Branchville. It is also a potential source of pollution from private septic system failures if they were to occur. Therefore, the 2017 study evaluated options for the provision of sewer service to Branchville. This study found that the TOD plan would require a connection to one of two wastewater treatment plants.
- South Street Wastewater Treatment Facility (Ridgefield)
- Redding Water Pollution Control Facility
The Town of Ridgefield is in the process of closing one of its plants and making upgrades to the South Street plant to more efficiently and effectively manage wastewater already collected within sections of its community.
Of the two proposed facilities, the 2017 TOD study determined that the Redding facility is the most proximate and a connection to that facility would be the least expensive option. At present, a portion of the treatment capacity at this plant is not utilized as the plant capacity was expanded in anticipation of new development in the area. With that expansion, the Redding Water Pollution Control Facility has a permitted capacity of 245,000 gallons per day. It is currently utilizing approximately 17% of that capacity. Additionally, since the plant is in Redding, an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Redding would be required.
The Redding WPCF is located slightly over a mile from the Branchville area and offers the shortest connection length. The cost of this connection was estimated to be $2.5 million at the time of the study.
Discussion
Given previously prepared estimates of wastewater demand for Branchville (TOD scenario) as well as for the eventual redevelopment of the Gilbert and Bennett Wire Mill site in Georgetown, WestCOG and the Towns believe that a review of assumptions made for those developments is necessary to determine whether the Georgetown (Redding) WWTP facility will have adequate capacity to handle projected effluent flows from both sources.
This study, conducted on behalf of Redding and Ridgefield, will be funded in part by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Grant that was received by WestCOG in 2023.
WestCOG has since retained environmental consulting firm Tighe & Bond, who have extensive expertise in wastewater management, to conduct this study. The study has begun, and further updates will be provided as it progresses.
Schedule
The anticipated study timeline is reflected below.
Study Resources
Staff Contact
For more information regarding the study or for any questions, please contact Project Manager Jaclyn Reelick at jreelick@westcog.org or 475-323-2067.