How Hartford is tackling the years-long issue of sewage flooding in homes
The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) said Wednesday it’s making major progress on a project meant to stop sewage from flowing into homes in Hartford’s North End.
The MDC said it’s spent $30 million, from an available $170 million, to repair homes and replace pipes.
It’s something residents have said is sorely needed for a long time.
“This has really inspired the residents that government can care about them and do what needs to be done to make sure they have a safe and clean environment,” said Cynthia Jennings, an attorney and advocate who helped push for the clean water project three years ago.
Jennings joined the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commission (DEEP), Katie Dykes, Rep. Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), and MDC officials for a press conference just days ahead of the project’s three-year anniversary.
The problem stemmed from a single pipe that handled both stormwater and sewage. Whenever heavy rains fell in Hartford, some North End residents had sewage back up into their homes.
“It was not only life-altering, it was defeating for people,” Ritter said. “It was to the point where their homes were unusable. Their basements were unusable.”
After a push from Jennings and other advocates, state and local officials set aside $170 million to fix the problem.
Homeowners can also get money for repairs associated with flooding or upgrades to pipes on their property to prevent problems, something people usually have to pay for themselves.
DEEP estimates 1,200 homeowners have received some form of help, including 500 who had infrastructure upgrades at no cost.
“You raised your voices, you got loud,” Dykes said. “You were relentless in telling us there was a problem here.”
MDC estimates the project could take another 20 years. The quasi-public authority purchased a truck to provide free ice cream to the community.
Jennings said residents realize the project is a massive undertaking that needs time.
“Some of those basements were, we found in the raw sewage, COVID and other bacterial infections,” she said. “People have gotten cancer from being in those environments.”
From breaking news and local politics to art exhibitions, live music, high school sports, small businesses, and cultural events, we celebrate the people and places that make Connecticut unique.