FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   Connecticut Department of Public Health

June 13, 2008                                                  Contacts: William Gerrish

                                                            (860) 509-7270                         

HARTFORD –   Today the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) under authority of  Connecticut General Statute (CGS) 25-32b, issued a “Declaration and Order Regarding Public Water Supply Emergency” to the Sprague Water and Sewer Authority (SWSA) concerning the Town of Sprague’s recent announcement of an imminent water supply shortage.  The declaration orders SWSA to activate and pump water from two additional wells (#4 and #5) as necessary to meet their customer’s daily water needs.

After consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Public Utility Control, DPH Commissioner J. Robert Galvin, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., has declared a public water supply emergency as allowed under CGS 25-32b.  Other conditions and requirements are detailed in the order; including the requirement that the Town enforce an existing emergency ordinance put in place in 2007 that prohibits all outdoor water uses.

Diminished pumping capacity in the Town of Sprague’s Well #1 has severely compromised the ability to meet water demands for the Town’s community water system.  The order is to remain in effect for the duration of the emergency contingent upon successfully addressing all conditions stipulated in the order.  The Order shall not exceed an initial period of thirty (30) days without a valid request to extend the Order and Departmental approval.  CGS 25-32b allows for the extension of the emergency order for additional 30 days periods up to a maximum of 150 days.  DPH anticipates that activation of these two additional sources of water supply should avert any service interruption to the customers and provide a safe supply of drinking water.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state.  To contact the Department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270.

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