Don’t Divert Our Water Resources Out Of The Community

To the Editor:

Your editorial of July 16 on “The Want of Water” raises serious questions which need to be pondered by the citizens at large.

Newtown has long recognized that the water supply with which our community has been endowed is a most precious resource that demands protection not only for the use of those who dwell here currently, but preserved for the generations which will follow. In keeping with that responsibility, in December 1976 the town enacted its own sanitary code “…to reduce the probability of water pollution by establishing standards for the construction of water supply and sewage disposal systems and thereby protect the health and welfare of the citizen.” That code became the standard upon which the Health Department operated and developed.

Further, under the leadership of Arthur Spector and the guidance of David Thompson, lot size zoning was established based upon soil capacity to treat septic waste permitting the recharging of ground water assuring a continuing source of safe water for the homeowner and protection for the aquifer.

Throughout the intervening years, Newtown taxpayers have invested generously, not only in the growth of the Health Department but in support of the collaborating land use agencies dedicated in no small measure to the protection and preservation of our water resources.

It is thus troubling to consider that water from the Newtown aquifer over which the town has acted as a responsible steward for more than three decades is now to be extended beyond its jurisdiction in order to address a present problem in an adjacent community, the magnitude of which is not known.

Newtown’s water resources are a treasure which we inherited from the past, have protected in our time, and promised to preserve for future generations. Those resources are not unlimited. We can help our neighbors by sharing generously our experience and example in protecting water resources, but I would urge our Legislative Council and government leaders to resist any effort to divert Newtown water resources outside of the community.

Thomas F. Draper, MD, MPH

41 Taunton Lake Road, Newtown                                   July 20, 2010