2 - Town of Colchester

PROGRAM
The most important natural resources in Colchester are water related. These areas are the principal elements in any effort
to maintain an ecological balance because of the essential role and function they play in:
• maintaining and improving water quality and maintaining the water supply,
• providing extraordinary scenic value,
• supporting wildlife, and
• controlling drainage and flooding.
Water Features
Water features in Colchester include rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, swamps, vernal pools, and floodplains.
Activities in these areas are generally regulated by the Inland Wetlands Commission and/or the Zoning & Planning
Commission. The Town should continue to assure that these areas within Colchester are maintained in their natural state.
Water Quality / Water Supply Sources
Water quality is the most important natural resource issue in Colchester since most residents rely on groundwater from
private or public supply wells. Public water supply sources in Colchester include the Deep River Reservoir (that supplies
water to Norwich) and areas of high groundwater availability (aquifers) that supply water to local residents.
To help protect water quality in these areas, it is recommended that the current aquifer protection zone regulations be
reviewed on a regular basis to ensure the highest degree of water quality protection for designated aquifers, areas of high
groundwater availability, and areas within public water supply watersheds. These areas should continue to be protected
from land uses that could hinder their use as public water supply sources. Zoning designations should be evaluated
(especially in the Deep River watershed) to protect water supply sources. In addition, Colchester should adopt a
residential fuel tank ordinance requiring the replacement of underground fuel storage tanks which are more than 20 years
old.
Aquifer Protection
Stratified drift aquifers are
geologic formations or
deposits (generally sands and
gravels) which store large
quantities of groundwater and
through which groundwater
may be retrieved in quantities
sufficient for public drinking
supplies.
Bedrock aquifers include
fractures or faults in
underlying rock formations
that typically yield small
amounts of groundwater.
Aquifer protection can be
enhanced by regulating land
uses and activities that may
threaten water quality. The
Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection is
in the process of developing
aquifer protection regulations
and these should be
consulted for guidelines on
how to address aquifer
protection in Colchester.
Flood Plains
There are many places in Colchester where the land is subject to flooding. Land use in these areas should continue to be
strictly controlled in order to minimize potential flood hazards and the damage which can occur, maximize water storage,
maintain normal flood channels, and protect wildlife habitat.
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