Objectives of the Pootatuck Watershed Association:
1. To have a clean, safe and abundant source of drinking water
2. To promote and provide a forum for sharing information and experiences on scientific, education, administrative and financial aspects of watershed management
3. To assist local association in watershed protection and restoration
4. To encourage support and development of local, state, and national programs promoting watershed management
5. To foster a partnership for the mutual benefit of Newtown, its citizens and their water resources
6. To protect wildlife and aquatic habitats
We will be meeting these objectives in many ways including:
1. Open space stewardship
2. Annual water sampling throughout Newtown
3. Education for students and adults as well as businesses
4. Watershed biological studies
5. Monitoring stream flow
6. Tree planting and habitat restoration
7. Studying the capacity of and the demand on the Pootatuck Aquifer
8. Volunteerism: Conservation, Fundraising, and Education
9. Public and private interaction
10. Public outreach and community events
The Pootatuck Watershed Association (PWA) combines knowledge and resources to understand and protect our water resources within the Pootatuck Watershed. We are achieving this protection through an alliance with organizations, individuals, as well as The Town of Newtown, by creating a membership that values all stakeholder positions concerned with the future of our community and environment. The Pootatuck Watershed comprises half of Newtown’s land area. In addition there are three smaller watersheds in Newtown, all of which will benefit from our work. Within these watersheds the underlying aquifers* provide our public and private water supplies. The ground and surface waters provide drinking water, water for agriculture, public recreation, economic development and critical wildlife habitat. These assets sustain our community, quality of life and Newtown’s future. While we benefit from water, development and human activities damage and deplete it. The hydrologic cycle depends upon an interaction of land, air and water. This cycle is impacted by impervious surfaces (paved roads, roofs), deforestation, erosion and contamination by wastes and chemicals. Every building, road, parking lot, septic tank, agricultural activity and lawn has impact and may interrupt the natural filtering that recharges the groundwater supplies and stream flows. Every resident, business and agency has impact. You can help make a difference.
Nearly all properties in Newtown have a stream, wetland or aquifer recharge area on or near them. Through education, outreach, volunteer efforts and policy implementation the PWA will work to engage everyone in an effort to understand how they can help to protect all of Newtown’s water resources. This membership organization focuses on realistic solutions to problems so that everyone benefits. Please join us in this effort by becoming a member and perhaps donating your time to one of the many valuable projects pursued by the PWA.
The Stats
The Pootatuck Watershed is located in east-central Newtown, Connecticut. It is a 7.9 square mile aquifer. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the Pootatuck Aquiferis a sole source aquifer based on section 1424(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act. There are no viable alternative sources of sufficient water supply to the residents of Newtown. If contamination of the aquifer were to occur, it would pose a significant public health hazard and financial burden to the residents of Newtown. The aquifer is capable of yielding approximately 4.0 million gallons per day (mgd). The current water use is 1,009,406 gallons per day. If the demand for water does not increase and drought conditions do not prevail, then the aquifer should provide sufficient water supply for the next 40 years.
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