Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA)

HISTORY - In 1964 Whitman & Howard, an Engineering and Architectural Firm, was hired by the newly established Sewer Commission to design a complete sewerage system for the Town of Trumbull.  The study was necessary, as sanitary sewers did not exist within the town.  All sewage was disposed by individual means such as septic tanks and leaching fields.  Due to growing population densities in some areas and poor soil conditions in others the town was experiencing many difficulties with failing individual systems.

In 1967 a master plan for a town-wide sewer system was completed.  This master plan continues to be used as a blueprint for sewer design today.  The first construction was completed in 1973 and provided sanitary sewer service to neighborhoods in the Main Street, Church Hill Road/White Plains Road sections with extensions that enabled sewers to service all of our commercial and industrial zones.

SEWAGE DISPOSAL – Trumbull does not have a sewage treatment plant. In 1967 it was determined that Trumbull would discharge their sewage to Bridgeport.   There are two watercourses in Trumbull that had been considered by the State Department of Water Resources, the Pequonnock River and Horse Tavern Brook.  Horse Tavern is too small to accept sewage from a community the size of Trumbull and the Pequonnock River, while being a much larger stream, is used for recreational purposes downstream within the City of Bridgeport.  This negated the possibility of using the Pequonnock to dispose of treated sewage from Trumbull.  Bridgeport had an extensive sewerage system with available capacity to accept sewerage from Trumbull.  This “regional” hook-up between Trumbull and Bridgeport was thought to be advantageous to both communities.

TODAY – The name of the Sewer Commission was officially changed to the Water Pollution Control Authority in 1999.  The Authority is self-funded and employs an Assistant W.P.C.A. Administrator and two full-time maintenance personnel.  There are approximately 125 miles of sewers in Trumbull and the vast majority is constructed using the recommended minimum 8-inch diameter.

Topography is a prime consideration with the system’s design.  It is to the advantage of the Town to have gravity flow within the system wherever possible.  Gravity flow is much less costly and troublesome.  However, complete gravity flow is not possible or economically feasible.  For this reason 12 pump stations are used in Town.  There are approximately 125 miles of sanitary sewers in town.  Approximately 8,000 homes and businesses are connected.

FUTURE – The Board of Finance and Town Council approved bond appropriations, funding the design of sanitary sewers expansion in FIVE contract areas.  This sewer expansion project has been labeled Phase IV-Part B.  Cost for the design of the five projects exceeded $1,650,000. It is considered a near certainty that sanitary sewers will be installed in all five areas, as public investment and demand is high.

The Town of Trumbull’s Water Pollution Control Authority approved an agenda with each project scheduled for construction in a specific order.  Contract I, also known as the “Canoe Brook Lake Project,” was completed in 2005 and provided sewer service for 375 residents.  Construction of Contract II, also labeled the “Half Acre Zone” was started in November 2005 and is estimated to be complete by the end of 2006 and will provide sewer service for 298 residents. 

Contract III or the “JOG HILL PROJECT” – 556 houses.  Construction estimated to take two years and will begin after the completion of the Half Acre Zone, in early 2007.  Contract IV, or the NORTH NICHOLS PROJECT – 837 houses.  Construction estimated to take three years and will be scheduled after completion of Jog Hill Project, currently estimated in 2009. Contract V or the SOUTH NICHOLS PROJECT – 376 houses.  Construction estimated to take one year. Final Contact construction scheduled after completion of North Nichols.