In the past, we’ve talked about combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in Hartford and related impacts on our local and regional waters like the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. Although we know the what and why, it’s time to share the when, where, and how much. Thanks to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, a number of the regional wastewater and water utilities are required to report “real-time” CSOs or bypass events. The Metropolitan District, which services Hartford and surrounding towns, also submits reports to comply with this requirement. This Bypass and CSO Public Viewer is available online, making the data more accessible than ever before.

Though this information is still relatively recent (the data does not go back further than a few years), it can help track progress going forward and plan for future interventions. Since July 2018, there have been 147 CSO events in Hartford. In terms of volume, although some of these events are smaller (in the hundreds or thousands of gallons), there have notably been a number of events that exceeded a million gallons. In terms of location, many events fall along the Connecticut River, which also receives CSO volumes both upstream and downstream of Hartford before entering the Long Island Sound. Smaller water bodies including local brooks, the Park River, and both North and South branches of the Park River have also received CSO volumes as well.

As these events can often be triggered by wet weather (like rain), a combination of green and grey infrastructure can help manage the excess stormwater. As an individual, when you have a tree, rain barrel, downspout disconnection, or rain garden at home, you’re helping reduce sewer overflows for a cleaner Hartford, Connecticut River, and Long Island Sound. For larger property owners and entities, both green and grey infrastructure can help manage stormwater (required by zoning). Every gallon counts, and we can do it together.

Source: CT DEEP

*The Retain the Rain program is supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Hartford Mayor’s Office of Sustainability is funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund. The views contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

In a previous post, we celebrated World Water Monitoring Day and highlighted important resources and volunteer opportunities. Today, let’s dive into some of the issues that are monitored to protect the health of our greater Connecticut River and Long Island Sound watersheds.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) is charged with protecting the health of our waters, most notably the Long Island Sound. In the Sound, the state agency conducts water monitoring throughout the year, with a particular focus on hypoxia as it can affect half of the entire Sound every summer. Hypoxia occurs when the water has low or no dissolved oxygen (“DO”) concentrations, and it can be caused or exacerbated by conditions related to nitrogen enrichment and warmer water temperatures. The extra nitrogen can come from “sewage treatment plants, stormwater runoff and atmospheric deposition.” (For more information on stormwater runoff and combined sewage overflows, visit our water facts or Retain the Rain pages.) The excess nitrogen can contribute to the growth of phytoplankton (microscopic plants). When the phytoplankton die, they’re decomposed by bacteria, which use oxygen to break down the plants. These hypoxic areas will have lower oxygen levels and can become “dead zones” that can result in stressed or dead aquatic life. Fish die-offs can also occur in these dead zones.

In order to protect the aquatic life and the industries that rely on a healthy ecosystem, it is critical to monitor the water quality of our waters. Monitoring allows us to understand the extent of the issue and track the effectiveness of implemented solutions. CT DEEP and its partners have been monitoring the Sound since 1991, and every year they continue the great work. To see their in-depth reports and annual survey results, you can visit CT DEEP’s website. If you’re interested in national hotspot forecasts on dead zones, algal blooms, and more, you can visit https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ecoforecasting/ . To help improve water quality in other ways, you can help by reducing stormwater runoff (Retain the Rain), volunteering for water monitoring programs, and participating in cleanups.

Sources: CT DEEP, NOAA

The Retain the Rain program is supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Hartford Mayor’s Office of Sustainability is funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund. The views contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

With recent intense storms taking down numerous trees, it’s important to remember the value of our trees and to use thoughtful planning and ongoing maintenance to stay safer and more resilient as a community. Healthy trees = fewer hazards, a cleaner watershed, and a greener, more resilient Connecticut.

How Hartford’s Trees Serve Us

We’ve previously shared information on how stormwater runoff can cause sewage overflows and other water quality issues for our local waters and the greater Connecticut River and Long Island Sound watersheds, and the role of trees as green infrastructure (learn more on our Retain the Rain page, water facts page, or tree page. To recap, Hartford’s trees provide over $5 million in annual ecosystem benefits, of which stormwater interception has the greatest value, slowing over 590 million gallons of stormwater every year. Additional co-benefits include air quality improvements (nearly 150,000 lbs of air pollutants removed), and energy savings (3.8 million kWhs saved), carbon storage, and increased property values. A 2019 inventory also reveals that Hartford has upwards of 20,000 trees along its streets and in high use public spaces. In Hartford, other forms of green infrastructure are not as ubiquitous as our urban tree canopy, making it vital to protect and preserve our most extensive and invaluable form of green infrastructure.

Right Tree, Right Place

Unlike engineered infrastructure, trees can grow and develop far beyond their initial size. It is critical to be thoughtful of long-term growth when planting trees. Planting trees under utility lines or above sewer lines may not have immediate impacts, but could cause issues in the future. Downed trees or broken limbs could affect power lines, and roots could break into the sewer line, causing leaks and reduced structural integrity. Ultimately, improper planting could result in damage or removal of both the infrastructure and the tree.
As a result, planting the proper tree in the right place is a critical part in maintaining a healthy forest and reducing risk. To site your tree appropriately, follow the guidance of the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s tree resources, which also mention checking for underground utilities with the state’s Call Before You Dig service.

Maintenance and Resiliency

Healthy trees are often more resilient to stressful conditions and are less likely to fail or fall during intense storms. Ongoing maintenance such as pruning and watering during dry spells can help keep trees healthy. Furthermore, preserving our mature trees is essential as they make up the largest portion of our existing canopy and consequently provide the most benefits.  

In conclusion, proper planting and ongoing care will ensure that we will have a healthy, lower risk urban forest that keeps our water and air clean far into the future.

Sources: 2014 American Forests Urban Tree Canopy Assessment and Planting Plan, TreeKeeper, CT DEEP, CBYD

The Retain the Rain program is supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Hartford Mayor’s Office of Sustainability is funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund. The views contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

In Hartford, we’ve seen increasingly severe weather, and even, people migrating from different places to escape the devastation of hurricanes. Acknowledging the very real effects of climate change, the City of Hartford’s Energy Improvement District Board  updated its Comprehensive Plan with recommendations from the Governor’s Council on Climate Change’s 2018 report, which aims for GHG reductions 45 percent below 2001 levels by 2030 throughout Hartford. Continue reading “Hartford’s Climate Targets” →