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If not, please call the MDC Customer Service Department at (860) 278-7850, extension 3297 from  8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. I would like to connect to MDC water or sanitary sewer, what do I need to do?
A. You should call the South Meadows Service Center at (860) 278-7850 extensions 3642, 3643, or 3644.  Assessment fees, if any, must first be determined for your lot.  If you are in a relatively new subdivision, the fee amounts are readily available; however, in an area that is older, a plot plan or a copy of a deed is necessary, along with some research to determine the fees.  This assessment can be paid over time.  All of the payment options will be explained to you when you are notified of the charges.  It is important to keep in mind that the charges which are levied by the District do not include any work that has to be done to make the actual connection.  This work must be done by a licensed contractor hired by you.  A list of bonded and insured contractors is available from the South Meadows Service Center.  All work must be done through a permit from the MDC and will be inspected by MDC personnel.  There are no fees collected for the permit, however, a fee will be collected upon application for service.

Q. Who can work on my water or sewer service?
A. The State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection regulates who is authorized to work on various utilities.  MDC regulations state only a licensed, bonded and insured contractor may work on any sanitary sewer or public water line.  The law requires the licensed individual be present and perform the work.

Q. When are MDC inspectors available?
A. MDC inspectors are available for water and sewer inspection Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  For a fee, they will inspect on an after hours, call out basis.  Inspectors are on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week schedule, for emergencies, at no charge. During normal working hours you may call (860) 251-6595.  After hours call (860) 251-7274.

Q. Is the MDC responsible for any repairs to my services?
A. The MDC will make repairs within the street for water and sewer services as long as it is deemed necessary by one of our inspectors.

Q. If I have a sewer backup, what should I do?
A. You should call the MDC.  We will check the main sewer and leave a form, if no one is home, outlining the procedures to follow.  If it is determined the main sewer is flowing, you will need to hire a licensed plumber  or power rodder to relieve the house service to the main sewer line.  An MDC inspector must be present to determine the exact location and who will be responsible to make the repair.

Q. There are blue and green marks in the street, why?
A. The State of Connecticut Call-Before-You-Dig program requires the MDC and other utilities mark out service and main locations prior to any excavations.  Different colored paint or flags represent  various utilities.  Blue and green represent underground water and sewer respectively.  Please do not eliminate any form of markings you see as they are very important to contractors.

Q. Why is my service not marked all the way to my house?
A. Utilities are only required to mark the areas falling under their responsibility.  The MDC is only responsible for that portion of service extending up to the street line or property line.  Areas of responsibility vary with each different utility.

Q. Can you recommend a contractor?
A. We can provide a list of contractors that are bonded, licensed, and insured with the MDC.  We suggest getting at least three estimates and making certain all the estimates include the same work.

Q. I have hired a contractor, what information do I need to provide?
A. The contractor needs to know the address, property owner's name, and type of work to be performed along with a Call-Before-You-Dig number.  If the contractor is working within the street, a street excavation permit must be obtained from the town where the work is being done. 

Q. Who dictates technical standards for my water and sewer services?
A. The MDC does.  We will provide our water and sewer manuals to contractors on request.

Q. I have a cavity in my yard, what should I do?
A. The MDC will assist the property owner with a dye test as long as the owner provides the water.  Any repair on private property is the responsibility of the owner.

Q. I have a private hydrant on my property, who maintains it?
A. The MDC does will maintain the hydrant for a fee.  You must register with the MDC in order to be eligible.

Q. Can I keep my well after I connect to MDC water?
A. It may be possible but costly.  The Department of Public Health controls the method of disconnection and mandates how a well is to be cut off.  The area you live in may dictate whether or not both systems may be used.  Should you decide to keep your well, in addition to connecting to MDC water, a backflow prevention device must be installed after the meter and both the well system and the MDC system must be independent of each other.  The backflow device will require testing annually by a State of Connecticut certified backflow device tester at your expense.

Q. What is the 'customer service' charge?
A. The customer service charge is established to recover fixed costs of support services such as customer accounting, credit and collections, data processing and meter reading.  Variable costs of meter operations and maintenance (based on size of the water meter) must also be recovered.

Q. Why is there a 'surcharge'?
A. The surcharge is applicable to all customers in non-member towns to offset the costs of capital expenditures for larger mains, pumping stations, etc., which are required to provide service beyond MDC member municipalities.  In addition, the MDC must recover property taxes paid to non-member towns, an expense not incurred by member towns.

Q. What is a 'high service' charge?
A. The high service charge offsets the cost of additional second stage pumping stations necessary to maintain adequate pressure for fire and domestic purposes.

Q. Why is there a 'fire service' charge?
A. If there is a separate connection for fire protection, the water distribution system as a whole must be constructed to provide much larger quantities and flows of water for fighting fires than for average demand.  The increase in cost of the system must be proportionately recovered.