Urban Environmental Program in New England Grants and Projects:
Water Quality “Water Resource Protection” Approximately 85% of
Bridgeport’s sanity/storm sewer system is combined and directs
water through the City’s sewer treatment plants. Often times,
storm water gets sent directly to waterways rather than
treatment plants and during long periods of heavy rain, combined
system water is released through overflow outlets into the Long
Island Sound and other City waterways, contaminating them with
untreated sewage and street water containing road and surface
wastes such as oils, road salts, and fertilizers. This
contamination causes shell fishing, fishing, and swimming to be
prohibited. Groundwork Bridgeport is a nonprofit organization
that works with young people on neighborhood clean up and
beautification projects throughout Bridgeport, CT. This project
seeks to increase stewardship practices that will improve the
water quality of the Long Island Sound and Bridgeport,
Connecticut waterways. Activities include