Watershed Inspections

Watershed Inspection and Drinking Water Quality

At Norwich Public Utilities (NPU), protecting the quality of your drinking water starts long before it reaches your tap. Each year, we conduct a watershed inspection to review properties located within the watershed boundaries.

A watershed is the area defined by natural topography that drains into a single body of water. That water is then treated at the NPU Water Treatment Plants before being delivered to our customers as safe and clean drinking water.

NPU has two active reservoirs - the Deep River reservoir in Colchester and the Stony Brook reservoir in Montville. 

As required by the State of Connecticut's Department of Public Health, these inspections help us identify potential risks, safeguard the source of our water, and prevent pollution, ensuring reliable, high-quality water for our community.

How Watershed Inspection Works

Each year, NPU conducts inspections of properties within the watershed. Before our inspections begin, nearby property owners receive a letter with our scheduled for this work to be completed.

These inspections are brief and limited to the exterior of properties; inspectors do not enter any homes. Our focus is on identifying potential sources of pollution, such as compromised septic systems, storage tanks and wells, excessive fertilizer or pesticide use, and waste disposal practices. Neighbors are welcome to be present during the inspection but are not required to be. State Statute CGS 25-51-51 provides water companies, local health departments and their agents the authority to enter and inspect properties within public water supply source areas.

If A Concern Is Found

If an issue is found during NPU's inspection, the property owner will receive a written notice with recommended actions and a reasonable timeframe to make the necessary corrections.

NPU employees and contractors always have identification to confirm their name and organization. If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service Center.

For more information around NPU's annual water quality, review our annual report.