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Construction site with a round concrete base, vertical wooden supports, two ladders, and a crane in the background.Construction site with a round concrete base, vertical wooden supports, two ladders, and a crane in the background.

Reimagining clean water for Hartford 

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.  

Client

Metropolitan District Commission

Location

Hartford, Connecticut

Connect with an expert

Man in a gray suit with a blue shirt and patterned tie, standing outside a building.
Brian McCarthy PE, CCM, PMP
Program Management Specialist

A program revitalizing water infrastructure 

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. 

Reducing wet weather overflows 

CDM Smith helped design new tunnels, interceptors and sewer separations to eliminate annual overflow events. 

Enhancing treatment efficiency 

Upgrades at Hartford’s plant use excess heat to generate nearly 40% of total electricity, lowering costs and reducing emissions. 

Leveraging digital innovation

Using digital twins and real-time analytics, MDC now monitors performance and predicts risks to guide smarter planning. 

Strengthening program management 

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.” 

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Complexity under control

Find out how the Clean Water Project is transforming the water quality in the Connecticut River.

Curious to learn more?

Connect with an expert to find out how we delivered this project.

Man in a gray suit with a blue shirt and patterned tie, standing outside a building.

Brian McCarthy

Program Management Specialist

Brianisa program management specialist with vast experience managing financial, contractual, technical and environmental risks.

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