JEWETT CITY, CONNECTICUT
MODERNIZING UTILITY WITH INFRASTRUCTURE & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
Community Overview
Jewett City is a small, historic mill town in the state’s northeastern corner that maintains a strong local identity. In 2023, Moonshot Missions partnered with the Jewett City Water Pollution Control Plant to address infrastructure needs and support the development of a long-term capital planning strategy.
Population: 3,404
Watershed: Quinebaug River
Poverty Rate: 14.6% below the poverty line
Key Environmental Challenges: Infrastructure deterioration due to weathering and age
MHI: $44,324
Connecticut Average: $83,771
Topic Areas: Wastewater treatment plant infrastructure upgrades
Project Summary
Moonshot partnered with Jewett City to modernize aging wastewater infrastructure and improve long-term planning. Moonshot conducted a technical site assessment to confirm needs and supported the development of a $700,000 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Priorities included UV system replacement, clarifier upgrades, and sluice gate repairs. We also supported the drafting of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to guide future upgrades. These efforts helped shift the utility from reactive maintenance to proactive planning, building a foundation for resilient and sustainable operations.
At a Glance
CHALLENGES
-
Outdated UV disinfection, corroded sluice gates, and obsolete SCADA/PLC systems
-
High per-capita operating costs
-
Maintenance backlogs
-
Limited internal capacity for planning and capital improvement strategy
-
A “run-to-failure” operational mindset leaving systems vulnerable to breakdown.
-
Developed a $700,000 CIP
-
Supported the utility in securing preliminary engineering reports for pump stations.
-
Drafted a system-wide RFQ
-
Facilitated a shift toward proactive, preventative maintenance and resilient operations
OUTCOMES
The Team
The engine behind the Moonshot Method is the key talent we deploy. Our goal is to bring experience and knowledge to the community through a team of peer advisors. This project was led by:
Licensed civil and environmental engineer with over two decades of experience in the water industry.
Water and wastewater engineer with twenty years of leadership experience in the industry.
Engineer and asset management certified professional with six years of experience in water.
Environmental engineer with eight years of consulting experience in water resources and environmental remediation.
The Moonshot Method
PROFILE:
Identified urgent infrastructure and system vulnerabilities: the aging systems, high per-capita costs, and limited staff resources.
OUR METHOD IN ACTION
ASSESSMENT:
Inspected clarifiers, oxidation ditches, and sludge dewatering to document infrastructure priorities.
MENU:
Developed a $700,000 CIP addressing UV disinfection failure, corroded sluice gates, and clarifier upgrades.
LAUNCH:
Enabled the utility to transition from crisis response to proactive planning and established a roadmap for preventative maintenance.
MAP:
Secured preliminary engineering reports for five pump stations and drafted an RIQ.
