Sec. 25-33k. Abandonment of source of water supply. Definition. Application and notification to municipalities. Basis for commissioner's decision. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 25-33k. Abandonment of source of water supply. Definition. Application and notification to municipalities. Basis for commissioner's decision. (a) For purposes of this section, "safe yield" means the maximum dependable quantity of water per unit of time that may flow or be pumped continuously from a source of supply during a critical dry period without consideration of available water limitations.

      (b) No source of water supply shall be abandoned by a water company or other entity without a permit from the Commissioner of Public Health. A water company or other entity shall apply for such permit in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. Not later than thirty days before filing an application for such permit, the applicant shall notify the chief elected official of any municipality in which such source of supply is located. Not later than sixty days after receipt of such notification the municipality or municipalities receiving such notice and any water company as defined in section 25-32a may submit comments on such application to the commissioner. The commissioner shall take such comments into consideration when reviewing the application.

      (c) (1) In the commissioner's decision, the commissioner shall consider the water supply needs of the water company, the state and any comments submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and shall consult with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Public Utility Control.

      (2) The Commissioner of Public Health shall grant a permit upon a finding that any groundwater source with a safe yield of less than 0.75 millions of gallons per day, any reservoir with a safe yield of less than 0.75 millions of gallons per day, any reservoir system with a safe yield of less than 0.75 millions of gallons per day, or any individual source within a reservoir system when such system has a safe yield of less than 0.75 millions of gallons per day will not be needed by such water company for present or future water supply and, in the case of a water company required to file a water supply plan under section 25-32d, that such abandonment is consistent with a water supply plan filed and approved pursuant to said section. No permit shall be granted if the commissioner determines that the source would be necessary for water supply by the company owning such source in an emergency or the proposed abandonment would impair the ability of such company to provide a pure, adequate and reliable water supply for present and projected future customers. As used in this section, a future source of water supply shall be considered to be any source of water supply necessary to serve areas reasonably expected to require service by the water company owning such source for a period of not more than fifty years after the date of the application for a permit under this section.

      (3) The Commissioner of Public Health shall grant a permit upon a finding that any groundwater source with a safe yield of more than 0.75 millions of gallons per day, any reservoir with a safe yield of more than 0.75 millions of gallons per day, any reservoir system with a safe yield of more than 0.75 millions of gallons per day, or any individual source within a reservoir system when such system has a safe yield of more than 0.75 millions of gallons per day is of a size or condition that makes it unsuitable for present or future use as a drinking water supply by the water company, other entity or the state. In making a decision, the commissioner shall consider the general utility of the source and the viability for use to meet water supply needs. The commissioner shall consider any public water supply plans filed and approved pursuant to sections 25-32d and 25-33h, and any other water system plan approved by the commissioner, and the efficient and effective development of public water supply in the state. In assessing the general utility of the source, the commissioner shall consider factors including, but not limited to, (A) the safe yield of the source, (B) the location of the source relative to other public water supply systems, (C) the water quality of the source and the potential for treatment, (D) water quality compatibility between systems and interconnections, (E) extent of water company-owned lands for source protection of the supply, (F) types of land uses and land use controls in the aquifer protection area or watershed and their potential impact on water quality of the source, and (G) physical limitations to water service, system hydraulics and topography.

      (P.A. 85-336, S. 2, 6; P.A. 93-381, S. 9. 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 98-157, S. 12, 15; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, S. 44; P.A. 07-217, S. 119.)

      History: P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 98-157 added provision requiring consideration of potential impairment of present and future water supply for granting permit to abandon a source, effective July 1, 1998; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2 divided existing provisions into Subsecs. (b), (c)(1) and (c)(2), added Subsec. (a) defining "safe yield", added provisions in Subsec. (b) re procedure for permit and notification to municipality, amended Subsec. (c)(1) by adding requirement for commissioner to consider water supply needs of state and comments received from municipalities, amended Subsec. (c)(2) to provide basis for commissioner's decision on application for abandonment of smaller sources of water supply, added Subsec. (c)(3) re basis for commissioner's decision on application for abandonment of larger sources of water supply, and made conforming and technical changes; P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (c)(3), effective July 12, 2007.