Renee LaMark Muir

I hope you are enjoying the return to more comfortable summer weather after a few weeks of extreme heat followed by heavy rainfall. This summer has reminded us that severe weather events are becoming more frequent and can have real impacts on our communities, our infrastructure, and our environment. With much of the summer still ahead of us, we will likely experience additional periods of extreme weather, making it even more important that we remain informed and prepared.
 
Many residents have recently reached out to me with questions and concerns about water quality. I truly appreciate hearing from so many people who care deeply about protecting our environment and preserving the Connecticut River.
 
I have also noticed that two separate water-related issues have become intertwined on social media. Because that can understandably create confusion and unnecessary anxiety, I wanted to provide a clear overview of each issue and explain what is happening.
 
Before I do, I want to share something that's important to me.
 
Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, belong to another political party, or have no political party, it does not matter to me. As your state representative, I represent every resident of our district equally. My responsibility is to listen, advocate, and work on behalf of everyone I serve.
 
Protecting our environment should never be a partisan issue. Clean water, healthy ecosystems, and safe places for our families to live, work, and enjoy the outdoors are goals we all share. Particularly since we live in the beautiful lower river valley. I believe this is one issue where we can find common ground.

Best, 
Renee

Many of you have contacted me about wastewater discharges from Holyoke and Springfield, Massachusetts, and how they affect the Connecticut River downstream here in Connecticut.

Like you, I care deeply about the river. I grew up along the Connecticut River and continue to live beside it today. Every day I am reminded how fortunate we are to have one of New England's and our country’s greatest natural treasures in our backyard. I understand the frustration of residents and visitors who want to enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and simply spending time on the river without worrying about water quality.
 
The good news is that the Connecticut River is dramatically cleaner today than it was several decades ago. Thanks to decades of environmental investment, strong federal and state regulations, and the work of conservation organizations and countless residents, the river has recovered tremendously.
 
That doesn't mean our work is finished.

The primary concern today occurs after heavy rainstorms. Holyoke and Springfield still have portions of combined sewer systems that were built more than 100 years ago. Those systems carry both stormwater and sanitary sewage through the same pipes; modern facilities do not mix sewage and wastewater and have complex processing systems that prevent overflows. During major rain events, the volume of water overwhelms the system. To prevent sewage from backing up into homes or causing catastrophic damage to treatment facilities, the systems overflow, releasing excess water into the Connecticut River.
 
These are not intentional releases. They are emergency overflows caused by outdated infrastructure that communities across the Northeast have been working to replace for years.
 
Although these overflow events consist mostly of stormwater mixed with a smaller amount of untreated wastewater (reported as 90% rainwater and 10% wastewater), they still contribute bacteria and pollutants to the river. That is why public health officials monitor bacteria levels in the river and generally recommend avoiding swimming for 24 to 48 hours after significant rainfall.

The solution is modern infrastructure, and that work is already underway.
 
Both Holyoke and Springfield are operating under federally enforceable consent decrees that require them to modernize their wastewater systems. Springfield alone has approximately 30 major projects underway that are expected to reduce combined sewer overflows by roughly 87 percent by 2037. Holyoke is making similar improvements under EPA and Massachusetts oversight.
 
Connecticut and the other New England states continue to work collaboratively with Massachusetts to address this issue while these infrastructure improvements are underway. However, Connecticut does not have the legal authority to impose penalties or mandate corrective action by Massachusetts municipalities.
 
I know many residents, including myself, wish these projects could move faster. While completion may still be years away, each phase of construction reduces the number of incidents and the amount of discharge that reaches the river.
 
Here in Connecticut, we are making significant investments as well. Through our Clean Water Fund, communities across the state are upgrading wastewater treatment plants, replacing aging sewer infrastructure, reducing combined sewer overflows, improving stormwater management, and protecting both the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound.
 
I have also continued conversations with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), which regularly monitors water quality throughout the river. DEEP issues public advisories whenever bacteria levels become elevated, particularly after heavy rainfall, and I encourage residents to pay close attention to those notices before entering the water.
 
I will continue working with DEEP, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and our federal partners to ensure these infrastructure projects remain a priority. Maintaining strong environmental protection and continued investment is essential if we are going to leave a healthier Connecticut River for future generations.

The second issue that many residents heard about over the weekend was unrelated to conditions in the Connecticut River.
 
On July 10, the Connecticut Water Company issued a boil water order for customers served by its Chester and Guilford water systems after E. coli bacteria was detected in a water sample from Essex. The advisory remained in effect while additional testing was conducted and was lifted on July 11, at approximately 4 p.m.
 
The Chester System order affected customers in Chester, Deep River, Essex, and Haddam. It applied only to homes and businesses connected to those public water systems; residents served by private wells were not affected.

As a precaution, several local businesses closed Friday evening and remained closed on Saturday until the order was lifted.

During the order, customers were instructed to boil tap water before drinking, cooking, brushing their teeth, or preparing food, and to use bottled water whenever possible. On Friday, Connecticut Water, with assistance from the Essex Fire Department, established a potable water distribution site where customers could fill containers with safe drinking water. On Saturday morning, the water tankers were relocated to the more centrally located John Winthrop Middle School in Deep River.

According to the Connecticut Water Company, the order was prompted by a single water sample collected from a tap in Essex that tested positive for E. coli bacteria, which can pose significant health risks. Water samples taken from other locations throughout the system, including the well sources, did not detect E. coli. However, in accordance with Connecticut Department of Public Health regulations, the company notified all customers served by the interconnected Chester and Guilford water systems while additional testing was completed.

The follow-up testing determined that the contamination was an isolated incident limited to a single tap in Essex, allowing the advisory to be lifted Saturday afternoon.
 
The Connecticut Water Company acknowledged that the boil water order was disruptive and concerning for customers but emphasized that issuing the notice was the appropriate precaution to protect public health. The company thanked customers for their patience and recognized the efforts of its employees who staffed the potable water stations, collected additional samples, and communicated with customers and local officials throughout the event.
 
The Chester and Guilford water systems have been interconnected since 2017 for improved water availability during peak seasonal demand, enhanced firefighting capacity, and increased overall system efficiency.

Because these two issues involving wastewater runoff in the Connecticut River and bacteria in drinking water systems occurred around the same time, it is understandable that residents may have connected them. However, they are completely separate.
 
The Connecticut River issue involves long-term environmental management and wastewater infrastructure during heavy storms. While the boil water advisory involved a localized public drinking water system and was addressed by the Connecticut Water Company and state and local public health officials.
 
When concerns like these arise, accurate information is incredibly important. Social media can be a valuable way to share information quickly, but it can also spread misinformation that creates unnecessary fear and confusion.
 
I encourage residents to rely on updates from DEEP, the Connecticut Water Company, local health departments, and emergency management officials for the most current and accurate information. I will only post alerts and updated information that has been verified through these sources.You can find updated and accurate water quality advisories for the Connecticut River and state beaches and lakes at  CT DEEP News Releases and predictive mapping and testing trends for the entire river via DEEP’s platform Is It Clean.
 
For the latest updates on water service outages, boil water advisories, or construction projects, check Connecticut Water Service Alerts. For immediate 24/7 emergency assistance or to report an outage in your area, contact customer service directly at 1-800-286-5700 or email customerservice@ctwater.com. Additional guidance may also be found at Connecticut River Area Health District or Connecticut Department of Public Health.
 
As your state representative, I will continue monitoring both situations closely, advocating for investments in clean water infrastructure, and working to ensure our communities receive timely, transparent information.
 
I am proud to represent a district where so many residents care about protecting our rivers, wetlands, forests, and natural resources. Environmental stewardship is one of the values that brings our communities together.

I also want to share a brief note about how I communicate with constituents.
 
While I regularly use social media to share information about legislation, community events, issues affecting our district, and my work as your state representative, I generally do not respond to policy or legislative discussions in the comments on social media. Too often, complex issues are oversimplified, comments are taken out of context, information is misinterpreted or shared inaccurately, and the tone of these conversations can become unnecessarily adversarial.
 
I believe thoughtful conversations about legislation and public policy deserve the time and space necessary for respectful, productive dialogue. While we may disagree on solutions, we must always respect each other’s opinions and experiences.
 
I receive many emails and phone calls and have conversations with constituents about a wide range of issues. In my newsletters, I try to address topics that many residents are asking about, as well as issues that are timely and relevant to our district. I also provide updates on new laws, legislative initiatives, and my work at the Capitol and throughout our community. When there is important information that cannot wait until my next newsletter, I send e-blasts like this one to keep you informed about developing issues, public safety updates, and other matters affecting our district. You can simply reply to any of my e-newsletters, and your message will come directly to me.
 
If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, I encourage you to contact me directly by email. I personally read and respond to constituent emails, and I welcome the opportunity to hear your thoughts and discuss issues that matter to you.
 
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at renee.lamarkmuir@cga.ct.gov. Your perspective is important to me, and I look forward to hearing from you.
 
You can follow me on Facebook HERE and on Instagram HERE.