"Water is a finite resource, and if you're going to have a water system, you need to know what is your capacity. And right now the university does not know that"
Last week, when the Fenton River dipped to an anemic flow due to a lack of rain, the University of Connecticut did just what it was supposed to: It stopped pumping from its Fenton well field and issued a conservation alert asking its water users to voluntarily cut back. Almost two years ago, when the university was less mindful of water management during a seasonal drought, its continued pumping led to drying up part of the Fenton River. But even with last week's quick steps, some still fret over what might happen in two weeks when students return, raising the number of water system users to 25,000. The alert also has environmentalists and Mansfield residents questioning how UConn can promise to provide water and sewer service to the $165 million Storrs Center project, with its projected 700 to 800 housing units, and a proposed off-campus apartment and townhouse complex that would house more than 600 students on Hunting Lodge Road. 'To me, this current water condition says a lot about the wisdom of making these commitments,' said Vicky Wetherell, board member and former president of the Willimantic River Alliance.
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08-12-2007, 04:57 PM
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