Transcript Document

How Does Sprawl Affect
Water Quality
Eric Hammerling, Executive Director
Farmington River Watershed Association
Protecting the Farmington for Over 50 Years
1953
Research
2005
Education
Advocacy
The Farmington
River
Watershed
Are we Sprawling or Have we Sprawled?
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%
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.
Sprawl =
The “stuff” in stormwater:
• Sediment
• Nutrients (phosphorus
and nitrogen)
• Metals
• Pesticides/herbicides
• Bacteria
• Hydrocarbons
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
95%
6%
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
15.4 lbs/ac/yr
2.0 lbs/ac/yr
Rainfall Converted to Stormwater
Peak Discharge 2 Year Storm
Annual Nitrogen Load
Source: Center For Watershed Protection
As If You Needed More Evidence . . .
• 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.
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.
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Simsbury’s Aquifers
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3
1. Bissell Brook
2. Hoskins
3. Tariffville
4. Stratton Brook
5. Nod Road
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* Designated for areas
serving over 1,000
people
Stratton Brook Aquifer Stats
Stratton Brook
Aquifer
• 1,977 acres
• 2.9 mgd capacity
• 10,500+ water users in Simsbury
• 815 acres “developed” (41%)
• 1,162 acres “undeveloped” (59%)
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• of this undeveloped land area, 168+ acres
may soon be considered for development
What can be done?
To Protect Sensitive Groundwater Resources
• 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 Reduce Stormwater Pollution
• 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.
And Of Course . . .
• 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.
The Farmington River Watershed
A Precious Resource Worth Protecting
It takes all of us
ANY QUESTIONS?
Contact Info
Eric Hammerling, Executive Director
Farmington River Watershed Association
749 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06070
Phone: 860.658.4442, ex. 205
Fax: 860.651.7519
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.frwa.org