WMOST Case Study for UConn’s Storrs Campus to Optimize Water Purchases from Connecticut Water Company

The University of Connecticut currently provides potable water to its Storrs campus and Mansfield from groundwater pumps in the Willimantic and Fenton River Wellfields capable of producing 1.48 MGD and 0.8442 MGD, respectively. In 2005, sections of the Fenton River ran dry as a result of low flows and overuse. Since that time, the University has undertaken successful efforts to understand and manage its water resources. The wellfields’ supply is currently inadequate for the 15% margin of safety for peak monthly demands. Additionally, UConn is planning expansions bringing 6,500 more students to campus, with the facilities to accommodate them. UConn is projected to need an average additional supply of 1.385 MGD, which will be supplied by Connecticut Water Company. The EPA recently released the Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) which allows researchers and planners to define a study area with hydrology parameters, water infrastructure information, water utility data, and site specific capital and O&M costs. WMOST produces a set of select watershed management alternatives optimized for least cost while meeting system constraints. The objective of this Thesis was to develop a case study in WMOST to determine how much water the University will need to purchase from CWC in the 50 year planning period within an optimized set of management alternatives. The WMOST model recommends 0.55 MGD of CWC purchases along with the repair of water supply and wastewater infrastructure, expansion of the wastewater plant, infrastructure replacements as needed, and imparting water costs to end users to conserve water.