Connecticut site 'is ideal for landfill'

An area of land in Connecticut has favourable conditions for a proposed ash landfill, it has emerged.

According to the results of a groundwater flow study conducted by state waste body the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA), the Franklin site is eligible for such usage because it does not contain enough groundwater to provide a drinking supply to the local town, which is home to approximately 1,750 residents.

Peter W Egan, director of environmental affairs and development at the CRRA, told the Norwich Bulletin that the agency will seek permission from the Department of Environmental Protection to use the site for landfill purposes if a better alternative for it is not found.

But Franklin first selectman Richard Matters opposes the project, claiming that he has not seen the results of the research.

"We haven't gotten that data yet so we don't know that," he said. "We want to do our own tests."

Written by Claire Manning