Water Department
Director of Public Works- James A. Rotondo
Foreman- James McCarthy
Office Assistant- Sandra J. Phelps
860-379-4101-telephone
860-738-3509-fax
Hours Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm
Departmental duties consist of:
* Daily water tests.
* Operation and maintenance at the Filtration Plant, Crystal Lake.
* Weekly test in designated areas throughout town, which are forwarded to the testing laboratory for processing.
* Repairs and maintenance of meters.
* Patrolling and inspection of primary and secondary sources of water supply security.
* Monitoring of surface elevations.
* Frequent location of utilities for clients and contractors.
* Maintenance and operation of 1.5 million gallon water storage tank on Wallens Hill.
* Emergency repairs of water leaks and distribution systems.
* Read meters quarterly.
* Maintain (358) hydrants, flushing periodically to expel deleterious materials, each winterized to prohibit freezing.
* Maintenance of two (2) water-pumping stations.
* Answer complaints.
* Install or repair water services.
WATERSHED
Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, and Rugg Brook Dams each are inspected on a yearly basis by WMC Engineering of Newington Ct and a report of their finds submitted. Maintenance of the perimeters is on going by departmental personnel. During this year of drought conditions our watershed proved to be a very efficient one. Many water departments in the State have had restrictions on water usage, while our reservoirs remained at 80% or more through this drought. Water is an essential resource for all, this resource has been abundant for us in the past and hopefully in the future.
SEWAGE PUMPING & TRANSMISSION
The department is responsible for operation and maintenance of 35 miles of sewage collection and transmission piping. Often cleaning transmission lines with high-pressure jet sprayer, removing roots, grease and silt from problem areas. This system requires semi-weekly inspection and maintenance of the nine (9) sewer pumping stations. Approximately 20% of the department's time is spent on sewer transmission maintenance.
The Highland Lake sewer project is completed with 326 pumps installed and ten (10) miles of transmission lines to be maintained.
CRYSTAL LAKE WATER FILTRATION PLANT
Director of Public Works-James A. Rotondo
Chief Plant Operator-Jeffrey Rines
860-738-6529-telephone
860-738-6555-fax
The Town Of Winchester is supplied with water by two sources, Crystal Lake (primary) and Rugg Brook (secondary). These sources are almost entirely on town owned land, and provide a pristine abundance of raw water
The water is made ready for distribution by the Crystal Lake Water Treatment Plant. This state of the art plant was built in 1998, so supply Winchester with a safe and sufficient water supply. Please note that the water supply is now a source of fluoride. The combination of a good clean supply and modern treatment will enable the water department to provide the town with a fine product for years to come.
Department personnel maintains the sources of supply as well as the filtration and distribution system with approximately 35 miles of pipe 4" to 16" in diameter.
Water quality, in compliance with the "safe water drinking act", is assured and weekly sampling/testing from four client locations taken, including periodic testing of raw water at Crystal Lake.