Connecticut city's stormwater report reveals septic failures, pollution monitoring gaps

The city of Meriden, Conn. repaired more than twice its typical number of stormwater catch basins in 2025 and recorded five septic system failures that discharged into the city's storm sewer system or local waterways, according to a draft annual report made available to the public Feb. 16 under the city's federal stormwater permit.

The draft report, prepared by engineering firm Fuss & O'Neill on behalf of the city, covers the period from January through December 2025. Residents have until March 18 to submit comments before the city finalizes the report and submits it to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

City crews repaired 223 catch basins last year, according to the report, compared to an average of roughly 100 per year. The city also replaced stormwater piping along Dana Lane, Charles Street and Johnson Avenue.

Five properties were cited for septic system failures during the reporting period. Under city procedure, residents whose systems are found to be failing receive a health order requiring repairs within 30 days.

The report also reveals that the city has completed catchment investigations, a process used to identify sources of pollution within the drainage system, at just 5 percent of its stormwater catchment area, a task originally due as early as 2018. Completion is now projected by the end of 2026.

The city has also made no measurable progress on reducing fertilizer application at municipal properties in nitrogen- and phosphorus-impaired watersheds since the permit began, reporting 0 percent reduction. Bacteria, mercury, turbidity and PCBs are also listed as pollutants of concern for Meriden.

Historical water quality sampling data included in the report shows E. coli readings at multiple city outfalls that far exceeded the 410 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters threshold for freshwater bodies. A sample collected at Cook Avenue and Summer Street in 2016 registered above 24,200 MPN per 100 milliliters. The draft does not include current-period outfall sampling results. Meriden's stormwater system includes 528 outfalls and discharges to the Quinnipiac River, Harbor Brook, Sodom Brook and other local waterways.