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How Does Sprawl Affect Water Quality
Eric Hammerling, Executive Director
Farmington River Watershed Association
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Research Education Advocacy
Protecting the Farmington for Over 50 Years
1953 2005
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The Farmington River
Watershed
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Simsbury Statistics:
Size of Simsbury: 22,002 acres
Population in 1950: 4,822
Population in 2004: 23,504
People per 5 acres in 1950: 1
People per 5 acres in 2004: 5.3
Change in developed land (1985-2002): +13%
Are we Sprawling or Have we Sprawled?
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Where does the rain go?
• 70% returns to atmosphere
• 29.7% runs off over land to rivers
• Only 0.3% infiltrates into groundwater &
aquifers
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How does Sprawl affect the environment?
Sprawl
More Impervious Surfaces
Water Quality problems + Higher Risk of flooding
Fragmented natural areas
Loss of Biodiversity
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The Impacts of Sprawl on Rivers
• Increased stormwater runoff
• Increased flood peaks
• More frequent flooding
• Lower dry weather flows
• Less groundwater recharge
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Less Groundwater – As more water runs off the urban/suburban landscape, less water is able to soak into the soil and replenish public and private well water systems.
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The “stuff” in stormwater:• Sediment• Nutrients (phosphorus
and nitrogen)• Metals• Pesticides/herbicides• Bacteria• Hydrocarbons
Sprawl = Stormwater runoff
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Q: Why does water quality get worse in the River every time it rains?A: Hmmm.. . I wonder.
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Sprawl = Water Quality
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One Acre Parking Lot vs. One Acre Meadow
Runoff Comparisons Parking Lot
Meadow
Rainfall Converted to Stormwater 95% 6%
Peak Discharge 2 Year Storm 4.3 cfs 0.4 cfs
Runoff Volume One Inch Storm 3,450 cf 218 cf
Runoff Velocity 2 Year Storm 8 ft/sec 1.8 ft/sec
Annual Nitrogen Load 15.4 lbs/ac/yr 2.0 lbs/ac/yr
Source: Center For Watershed Protection
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• 2003 UConn Study by Clausen, et al.: Found direct relationship between increases in impervious cover and increases in Fecal Coliform, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus in CT rivers and streams.
• 2004 UConn Study by Hurd, et al.: Found direct relationship between increases in imperviousness and increases in Chloride, Fecal Coliform, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Total Residues, and Turbidity.
As If You Needed More Evidence . . .
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The Result: Water Quality
Problems
In Fall of 2002, a 19.6 mile stretch of the Farmington River was added to the State’s “impaired waters” list for elevated bacteria levels.
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What is an aquifer?
Aquifer literally means “water bearer.”
• Underground aquifers store groundwater and supply wells or springs.
• 1/3rd of Connecticut’s population depends on groundwater for drinking water.
• If contaminated, aquifers can be very difficult/expensive to clean-up.
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Simsbury’s Aquifers
1. Bissell Brook
2. Hoskins
3. Tariffville
4. Stratton Brook
5. Nod Road
* Designated for areas serving over 1,000 people
1
23
4
5
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Stratton Brook Aquifer Stats
• 1,977 acres
• 2.9 mgd capacity
• 10,500+ water users in Simsbury
• 815 acres “developed” (41%)
• 1,162 acres “undeveloped” (59%)• of this undeveloped land area, 168+ acres
may soon be considered for development 4
Stratton Brook Aquifer
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What can be done?
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• Consider amending existing zoning regulations to include additional site plan review, best management practices (BMP’s), a preference for low-risk uses, and/or permit standards that help protect groundwater quality in aquifer protection areas;
• Educate businesses, private landowners, and local officials on ways to prevent groundwater contamination;
• Avoid large construction projects including, but not limited to, sanitary sewer infrastructure extensions;
• Consider protecting undeveloped areas within aquifer protection zones as open space forever.
To Protect Sensitive Groundwater Resources
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• Encourage vegetated buffer areas adjacent to wetlands, rivers, and streams;
• Discourage new construction or septic fields within the vegetated buffer areas;
• Utilize Best Management Practices to infiltrate stormwater locally rather than shunt it directly into local streams;
• Use permeable pavement and other available materials to foster groundwater recharge in areas that are over the 10% impervious threshold.
To Reduce Stormwater Pollution
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• Support local conservation organizations like Keep the Woods, FRWA, Simsbury Land Trust, and many others;
• Request and show up at local meetings on key issues like Aquifer Protection and open space protection;
• Learn to love your lawn with dandelions on it, especially if you live in an aquifer protection area.
And Of Course . . .
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The Farmington River WatershedA Precious Resource Worth Protecting
It takes all of us
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ANY QUESTIONS?
Contact InfoEric Hammerling, Executive DirectorFarmington River Watershed Association749 Hopmeadow StreetSimsbury, CT 06070Phone: 860.658.4442, ex. 205Fax: 860.651.7519Email: [email protected]: www.frwa.org