New water regulations could prompt $21M treatment plant in Southington

By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON Water officials are bracing for increased regulations that may require a $21 million manganese removal plant among other water treatment upgrades.

Two of the town’s wells have higher manganese content than usual. Through infrequent use of those wells and mixing with water from other areas, the Southington Water Department keeps the manganese below the maximum levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Manganese is considered an unregulated contaminant by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Southington Water Department leaders are anticipating those recommended limits will drop, though, requiring town action.

What is the issue with manganese?

Two Southington wells, numbers seven and eight, on the eastern side of town lie in marshy areas where manganese is naturally occurring.

Manganese, a mineral, was usually considered an aesthetic problem since it can discolor water. While important for healthy adults, the DPH said manganese can build up quicker in infants who excrete less of the mineral than adults. Adding water with excess manganese to baby formula, which already contains the mineral, can also cause increased levels.

Dangers from manganese are usually associated with metalworking professions, such as nervous system disorders among welders. According to the DPH, it’s unclear whether ingesting manganese could do similar harm to the nervous system.

In 2020, notices about manganese went out to water department customers in the area of wells seven and eight.

Those two wells are not normally used, according to Water Department Superintendent Douglas Arndt, and only turned on during high demand in the hottest months. When they are used, the water is mixed with that of other wells to bring down the levels of manganese.

“We use these wells on a minimal basis,” Arndt said. “The farther the water gets out into the system, the more dilution it gets.”

The EPA has concluded that water with a manganese content of less than 0.3 milligrams per liter is safe for the general population. Southington’s well seven had a manganese content of 0.5 milligrams per liter and well eight had nearly 0.8 milligrams of manganese per liter of water, according to the DPH.

That limit could drop, Arndt said, based on what he’s heard from state drinking water officials.

“There’s a level of uncertainty,” he said. “They’ve been telling us for some time.”

Bringing down the manganese levels further would require new sources of water, according to Arndt, or building a manganese treatment plan. The additional treatment facility could cost $21 million.

“The manganese is a very expensive project,” Arndt said.

The department is studying what the town’s options are, although without the new limits it’s unclear what the water department may have to do.

Major expense

Bob Berkmoes, chairman of the Board of Water Commissioners, said in addition to manganese there’s similar rumblings about requiring removal of PFAS, a synthetic chemical, from drinking water. The chemical doesn’t break down, can build up in fish and wildlife and move through soils to drinking water, according to the Center for Disease Control. It’s unclear how humans are affected by PFAS, although laboratory animals given large amounts had growth and development problems.

“What we’re trying to do is gather a lot of information,” Berkmoes said. “Right now, we’re in compliance with the state of Connecticut Department of Health.”

Removing more manganese from the water would be a “very major expense,” Berkmoes said. “We’re coming up with a plan to come up to the requirements,” he said. “(We want to) stay one step ahead of the problems.” Berkmoes said he’s been on the water board for 20 years and that he and other board members are always looking See Water, A12

Obituaries

George Miller Reed

George Miller Reed

PLAINVILLE George

PLAINVILLE - George

Miller Reed, age 89, passedaway onApril19, 2023.George wasbornon

September30, 1933,in Charlestown,NH, asonto the late Fred and Rena (Martindale) Reed.He was the loving and devoted husbandof 69yearsto Ruth (Schmidt)Reed of Plainville. He retired from Pratt& WhitneyAircraftin 1987 and devoted his retirementyears toa lifeof service tofamily andgood works. Georgeserved his country honorably in the United States Navy and was aboard theUSS Fulton.Hewas asixtyyear member of the Friendship Lodge #33 AFAM, Scottish Rite, Sons ofthe American Revolution, andthe USS Fulton Association. He spent manyyears raising moneyfor Masonicorgani-

Miller Reed, age 89, passed away on April 19, 2023. George was born on September 30, 1933, in Charlestown, NH, a son to the late Fred and Rena (Martindale) Reed. He was the loving and devoted husband of 69 years to Ruth (Schmidt) Reed of Plainville. He retired from Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in 1987 and devoted his retirement years to a life of service to family and good works. George served his country honorably in the United States Navy and was aboard the USS Fulton. He was a sixty year member of the Friendship Lodge #33 AFAM, Scottish Rite, Sons of the American Revolution, and the USS Fulton Association. He spent many years raising money for Masonic organizations by selling cotton candy which he made himself with his own machine. George enjoyed building many things so much so that he built a house in Rhode Island for his family which they were blessed to enjoy for many years. A lover of old cars, he was the proud owner of a 1933 Model A and a 1966 Ford Mustang. Besides his wife Ruth, George is survived by his children: Gordon M. Reed (Lynn); Galen H. Reed zationsby sellingcotton candy which hemade himself with his own machine. George enjoyed building many things so much so thathe builta housein Rhode Island forhis family which they wereblessed to enjoy for many years. A lover ofold cars,he was the proudowner ofa 1933 Model Aand a1966 Ford

(Eva) and Suzanne R. Colley, as well as his grandchildren: Aaron Reed, George M. Reed II, Gordon J. Reed, Jesse Reed, Jason Reed, Amber Chamberland, Hannah Colley, and Arlo Colley. He will be cherished in the memories of his great-grandchildren: Scott, Henry, Julian, Ashton, Ryland, Camden making a donation to your favorite charity. George’s family would like to thank Masonicare of Wallingford, Arden Courts of Avon, and Hospice for their excellent care. To leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.BaileyCares. com.

Mustang.Besides his wife Ruth,Georgeissurvivedby his children: Gordon M. Reed(Lynn);GalenH.Reed (Eva)and SuzanneR.Colley,aswellashisgrandchildren: Aaron Reed, George M.ReedII,GordonJ.Reed, Jesse Reed,Jason Reed, Amber Chamberland,Hannah Colley, and Arlo Colley. Hewillbe cherishedinthe memoriesof hisgreatgrandchildren: Scott,Henry, Julian,Ashton, Ryland, Camden and Immanuel and his goodfriend Sal Conti.All services for Georgewill beprivate.In Lieuofflowers,pleaseconsider makinga donationto your favoritecharity. George’sfamily wouldlike to thankMasonicare of Wallingford, Arden Courts ofAvon, andHospicefor their excellent care. To leaveamessageofremembrance, pleasevisit www.BaileyCares.com.

Antoni Zielinski

Antoni Zielinski

PLAINVILLE - Antoni

PLAINVILLE Antoni Zielinski,87, ofPlainville, passedaway peacefullyon Thursday,April 20,2023 with his family by his side. He was the beloved husbandof Halina(Depa) Zielinski for 57 years. Born inWola Stara,Poland,son of the late Stanislaw and Marianna (Zolkowska)

Zielinski, hecame tothe US in1972 andwas a parishionerofSacredHeart Church, New Britain. He was employed with Fafnir Bearing after 25 years and retiredfrom SupremeManufacturingafter 10years. Antonienjoyed workingin his garden tendingto the flowers.Aboveall,heloved spendingtime withhis adored grandchildren. Alongwith hiswife,he leaves his daughter Barbara Lucenteof Plainvlle andher husbandNicholas, hissonRobertZielinskiand his wife Beckyof Thomaston, grandchildren, Jackie Cunniffand herhusband Brent ofWoonsocket, R.I., Nicole Lucente and her boyfriend Terry Ross of WestSpringfield, MA,Andrew and AnyaZielinski of Thomaston, and great-

Zielinski, 87, of Plainville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 20, 2023 with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Halina (Depa) Zielinski for 57 years. Born in Wola Stara, Poland, son of the late Stanislaw and Marianna (Zolkowska) Zielinski, he came to the US in 1972 and was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, New Britain. He was employed with Fafnir Bearing after 25 years and retired from Supreme Manufacturing after 10 years. Antoni enjoyed working in his garden tending to the flowers. Above all, he loved spending time with his adored grandchildren. Along with his wife, he leaves his daughter Barbara Lucente of Plainvlle and her husband Nicholas, his son Robert Zielinski and his wife Becky of Thomaston, grandchildren, Jackie Cunniff and her husband Brent of Woonsocket, R.I., Nicole Lucente and her boyfriend Terry Ross of West Springfield, MA, Andrew and Anya Zielinski of Thomaston, and great-granddaughter

Madeline Grace Cunniff. He was predeceased by his brothers, Adam, Ignac and Zygmunt Zielinski. Relatives and friends were invited to call on Monday, April 24th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Burritt Hill, 332 Burritt St., New Britain. His funeral service was held on Tuesday, April 25th at 8:45 a.m. at Burritt Hill followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, New Britain. He was laid to rest in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association at www. heart.org or the American Cancer Society at donate. cancer.org. To share a memory or condolence, please visit us at www. duksa.net. granddaughter Madeline Grace Cunniff. Hewas predeceasedby hisbrothers, Adam, Ignac and Zygmunt Zielinski.Relatives and friends were invitedto call on Monday, April 24th from 5:00 pmto 8:00pm atthe Duksa FamilyFuneral Homes atBurritt Hill,332 Burritt St., NewBritain. His funeral service washeld on Tuesday, April 25th at 8:45 a.m.at BurrittHillfollowed byaMassofChristianBurialat 9:30a.m. atSacred Heart Church, New Britain. He waslaid torest inSacred HeartCemetery, New Britain. Memorialdonations may be made to the American HeartAssociation atwww.heart.org or the AmericanCancer Society atdonate.cancer.org. Toshare amemory orcondolence, pleasevisit usat www.duksa.net.