WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Madison has the best beaches in the state and contains both town owned and private shorefront beaches, serving primarily local residents, and Hammonasset State Park, serving tens of thousands of visitors from around the state. Water quality is generally very good with few of the closings that plague other beaches in the state. Maintaining the quality of our beaches serves more than the interests of beach users and those living near the shore but extends to the entire town, enhancing property values and the quality of life in Madison. Protecting beach and water quality is the job of all of us in Madison.

The Madison Health Department and Water Pollution Control Authority are involved in numerous activities to monitor and protect water quality.

• Water samples from streams and beaches are collected and tested on a regular basis and data going back over 20 years indicates good, and in some areas, improved water quality.
• Septic system plans are reviewed and all installations are inspected, septic failures are followed until corrected and septic tank pumping frequency is monitored.
• Several public water supply wells are located along the Hammonasset River and a sizable portion of town is considered an Aquifer Protection Zone. We work with the CT Department of Environmental Protection to monitor commercial activities within this area to protect against potential chemical pollution.
• We are in the midst of a long-range storm water management plan mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency to map, monitor and control storm water run-off as part of our general permit to discharge issued by the CT. Department of Environmental Protection. In this process we will identify any pipes from private sources carrying water into the town storm water system and insure they don't carry polluted water.
• In cooperation with the CT Department of Agriculture and the Madison Shellfish Commission we monitor commercial and recreational shell fishing in town waters. (See more detailed information about the shell fishing program on this web page).
• We participate in a hazardous waste program with the Regional Water Authority that allows residents to safely dispose of household hazardous waste.
• The town and schools follow Integrated Pest Management guidelines to minimize the use of chemicals on town owned property

Residents are asked to take action to protect water and beach quality in the following ways.

• Conserve water both inside and outside the house. (Please see the water conservation fact sheet below).
• Maintain your septic system and repair it promptly if it fails. (Please see the Septic Systems and Wells section of this web page).
• Control animal waste so that it doesn't enter the town's storm water system or water bodies.
• Don't feed the wild geese. The population of Canada Geese has become a nuisance and their feces have been implicated in the spread of parasites in surface water.
• Bring your household hazardous waste to the Hazwaste Collection Center in New Haven or to our annual collection at Hammonasset State Park in October. (Please see the Hazardous Waste section of this web page).
• Use minimal lawn and garden chemicals and fertilizers. Using more than chemicals than necessary is of no value to your lawn, is expensive and contributes to groundwater pollution. Most lawns can only effectively use 2-3 fertilizer applications per year.
• Don't put leaves, grass clippings, dirt or any other materials in the storm drains.
• Report chemical spills or septic system failures so that appropriate remedial and regulatory action can be taken to alleviate the problem.
• Control boating and marine waste.
• Direct rainwater run-off from roof gutters and driveways to gardens and lawns wherever possible.
• Stay off the sand dunes. Sand dunes serve as erosion protection in coastal areas. They are easily damaged and hard to re-establish.