2 - Town of Colchester

Wired Utilities
Wired utilities in new
developments are placed
underground. In addition to
improving overall reliability
of service, this enhances
overall community character.
However, this typically
occurs in the most rural parts
of the community while the
most visible wires and the
most visited area of
Colchester is the Town
Center area.
Whenever opportunities
present themselves, existing
above-ground utilities should
be relocated underground.
This should be a high priority
in the downtown area.
Communities like New
Milford are obtaining grants
and appropriating funds to
bury overhead wires in their
downtown area.
Over the next several
decades, attention and efforts
should be directed towards
relocating utilities
underground, especially in
the Town Center.
Public Sewer Service
Public sewer service in Colchester is also managed by the Sewer and Water Commission and the Public Works
Department. Sewer service is essentially limited to the center of Colchester where the majority of the commercial and
community facilities are located.
For sewage treatment, Colchester and East Hampton jointly own and operate a sewage treatment facility that is located in
East Hampton. That facility is approved to accept about 4.0 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage split about equally
between Colchester and East Hampton. Current sewage flows from Colchester are about 0.45 MGD, including some
sewage flows from Hebron. As a result, the facility is expected to have adequate sewage treatment capacity for
Colchester’s needs during the planning period.
The major sewer issue during the planning period will be addressing unauthorized flows from roof leaders or drainage
pipes (inflow) or infiltration to the system from manhole covers, pipe joints, or other areas.
Cable Infrastructure
Electric service in Colchester is provided by Connecticut Light & Power. Their service network consists of all or part of
eight different circuits. Reliability issues (frequency and duration of outages) are being monitored and addressed.
Telephone service is available to serve new development as it is proposed and developed in Colchester. Service is being
updated as needed with fiber optic cabling being installed along major roads and digital switching equipment being
provided at central hubs.
Cable communication (television) service is available to serve new development as it is proposed and developed in
Colchester.
Other Infrastructure
The management of storm drainage is important in Colchester in order to address the quantity of runoff and the quality of
runoff. During the planning period, a storm drainage facility inventory and plan should be undertaken in order to help
prioritize existing improvement needs and guide the design of new drainage structures in specific watersheds.
Wireless communication services are expanding in the region and additional facilities can be expected in Colchester as
the technology evolves and the demand increases.
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