Cromwell, CT – The Mattabassett District held a groundbreaking ceremony recently to mark the start of construction on a full renovation, expansion, and nitrogen removal upgrade at its Water Pollution Control Facility.
The event was held at that facility on 245 Main Street in Cromwell and featured guest speakers, including Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Dan Esty and The Mattabassett District board chairman William Candelori.
The $93 million project is expected to take three years to complete and will be spearheaded by C.H. Nickerson & Company, a Torrington-based general contracting firm that specializes in water and wastewater treatment plant construction.
“We are excited to begin construction and look forward to the expansion and improvements that will ultimately save our ratepayers money and have a more positive impact on local ecosystems,” said Brian W. Armet, executive director of The Mattabassett District.
One of the biggest advantages of the project will be the enhanced ability to remove nitrogen from water discharged from the plant. This will, in turn, reduce the amount of nitrogen flowing into Long Island Sound each year. High levels of nitrogen in the Sound fuels the growth of algae, which causes low levels of oxygen in the water and destroys aquatic life.