Background and University Usage
The University of Connecticut is allowed to draw approximately 844,300 gallons of water a day from its well fields near the Fenton River and approximately 2.3 million gallons from the Willimantic River well fields. On average, the University Water Supply System supplies 1.3 million gallons of water per day to UConn students, administration, faculty, staff, and community members.
From September 9-15 in 2005, about a 1/4 mile stretch of the Fenton River ran dry. In response to this event, the following statement was made to the DEP:
"The University believes that withdrawals from its well fields required to meet seasonal peak demands concurrently with extreme dry conditions in the summer of 2005, contributed to the drying of the stretch of the Fenton River in the vicinity of the well fields. In response to this event, the University made considerable efforts to review, improve, and implement emergency and long-standing water conservation goals for the campus and surrounding communities dependant on the university water supply."
As a result of this correspondence and concern, the University of Connecticut committed to restocking 1000 catchable size brown trout in the Fenton River, promoting greater public access to UConn-owned property for fishing along the Fenton River, conducting a study about re-colonization of invertebrates, and reimbursing the DEP for natural resources lost and staff time spent during the investigation.