Reducing wet weather overflows
CDM Smith helped design new tunnels, interceptors and sewer separations to eliminate annual overflow events.
To protect the Connecticut River and modernize aging systems, the Metropolitan District Commission partnered with CDM Smith to deliver Hartford’s $2B Clean Water Project.
Metropolitan District Commission
Hartford, Connecticut
Facing EPA and state consent orders over wastewater overflows in their aging sewer system, the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) launched the Clean Water Project to modernize infrastructure, safeguard public health and restore water quality for the greater Hartford region.
CDM Smith helped design new tunnels, interceptors and sewer separations to eliminate annual overflow events.
Upgrades at Hartford’s plant use excess heat to generate nearly 40% of total electricity, lowering costs and reducing emissions.
Using digital twins and real-time analytics, MDC now monitors performance and predicts risks to guide smarter planning.
Design, construction, finance and communications were coordinated to ensure seamless project delivery.
Together, MDC and CDM Smith are driving one of the nation’s most ambitious clean water initiatives, targeting completion by 2029. The program has already reduced overflows, enhanced system resilience and set a benchmark for sustainable water management. As MDC CEO Scott Jellison notes, “CDM Smith brings capacity. They bring their technical, financial and communications expertise, so they’re not just an engineering company.”
Find out how the Clean Water Project is transforming the water quality in the Connecticut River.