How Does Sprawl Affect Water Quality

Eric Hammerling, Executive Director

Farmington River Watershed Association

Research Education Advocacy

Protecting the Farmington for Over 50 Years

1953 2005

The Farmington River

Watershed

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?

Where does the rain go?

• 70% returns to atmosphere

• 29.7% runs off over land to rivers

• Only 0.3% infiltrates into groundwater &

aquifers

How does Sprawl affect the environment?

Sprawl

More Impervious Surfaces

Water Quality problems + Higher Risk of flooding

Fragmented natural areas

Loss of Biodiversity

The Impacts of Sprawl on Rivers

• Increased stormwater runoff

• Increased flood peaks

• More frequent flooding

• Lower dry weather flows

• Less groundwater recharge

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.

The “stuff” in stormwater:• Sediment• Nutrients (phosphorus

and nitrogen)• Metals• Pesticides/herbicides• Bacteria• Hydrocarbons

Sprawl = Stormwater runoff

Q: Why does water quality get worse in the River every time it rains?A: Hmmm.. . I wonder.

Sprawl = Water Quality

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

• 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 . . .

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.

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.

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

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

What can be done?

• 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

• 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

• 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 . . .

The Farmington River WatershedA Precious Resource Worth Protecting

It takes all of us

ANY QUESTIONS?

Contact InfoEric Hammerling, Executive DirectorFarmington River Watershed Association749 Hopmeadow StreetSimsbury, CT 06070Phone: 860.658.4442, ex. 205Fax: 860.651.7519Email: ehammerling@frwa.orgWebsite: www.frwa.org