Sustainable Solutions

To respond to community concerns during the planning of the Lake Whitney Water Treatment Plant, we hired a team of environmental scientists to conduct an environmental evaluation of the project’s potential impacts on areas upstream and downstream of the Lake Whitney dam, the waterfall and the site of the existing filtration plant. A report summarizing findings and recommendations was completed in January of 1999 and included recommendations for ongoing environmental monitoring and performance standards to mitigate potential impacts of future water withdrawals.

We operate the Whitney Water Treatment Plant in accordance with the Whitney Management Plan. It is a dynamic document that is sensitive to both water supply needs and environmental issues, and can be changed to reflect new information gained from experience in operating the plant and mitigation measures. We worked cooperatively with a multidisciplinary environmental study team and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop the plan.

In addition to the information regularly updated here, we discuss the current status of Management Plan implementation at our annual public meeting each February. We are fully committed to carrying out the obligations of the Management Plan and operating the Lake Whitney Water Treatment Plant in a manner that will mitigate any impacts resulting from plant operation upon associated environmental resources.

October 2020 Update

The Whitney Water Treatment Plant continues to operate in accordance with the Management Plan.

Lake Whitney’s water level has been below spillway since early September, in part due to continued abnormally dry conditions throughout the region. Water is being released downstream to the Mill River below the Lake Whitney dam with the goal of maintaining downstream ecosystems. Regional Water Authority asked its customers to voluntarily reduce their water use by 10 percent in October, and continues to monitor the conditions at Lake Whitney to ensure compliance with the Management Plan.

Click here for updated information on lake levels, spillway flows and water withdrawals.