Guilford Approves Additional $68K For Groundwater Study

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Board of Selectmen voted Jan. 5 to approve an additional $68,576 for a Town Center Groundwater Study as officials continue evaluating nitrogen levels and the feasibility of a community septic system to serve businesses around the Guilford Green.

The funding was approved by a 3–0 vote, with Selectman Jon Trotta abstaining. First Selectman Matt Hoey was not in attendance.

Health Director Sonia Brinckwirth said the study, which was authorized last year, is examining fluctuations in groundwater and nitrogen levels in the soil and has already found excess nitrogen in some areas.

A second phase of the study is focused on whether the St. George parking lot could accommodate a shared septic system for nearby restaurants, salons and other high-intensity businesses that currently rely on other systems.

Testing on one side of the lot showed groundwater levels high enough to make a system there prohibitively expensive, prompting engineers to evaluate the other side to determine whether a system with sufficient capacity could be installed.

Brinckwirth said some existing septic systems in the area require pumping multiple times a week, with problems closely tied to periods of heavy rain and high groundwater.

The environmental engineering firm Verdantas conducted the testing and recommended further evaluation of the remaining portion of the parking lot.

Brinckwirth said the town should be able to get a capacity at some point toward the end of the summer.

"Right now there is an idea of what's going on, now we just need to pinpoint and see how much we can actually get in there," she said.

Trotta questioned whether a future community septic system would be funded by the town or by users. Brinckwirth said the funding structure is still under discussion but typically includes a municipal contribution along with payments from participating businesses, which are already facing high pumping costs.

Finance Director Maryjane Malavasi said the town has money available in its committed fund balance to cover the newly approved funding.

Selectman Matt Federici said the town’s goal is to maintain local control over wastewater management rather than risk intervention from the state.