LDS CHURCH STORMWATER RETROFIT PROJECT

Background

Indian Brook is currently on the State of Vermont’s impaired waters EPA 303(d) list, determined to be primarily a result of stormwater runoff. In an effort to restore the brook and lift the impairment designation, a flow based Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was developed for Indian Brook, which outlines required reductions in stormwater high flows and increase in baseflow. Vermont developed TMDLs for impaired watersheds using flow as a surrogate for pollutant loading and the flow targets are the basis for the Flow Restoration Plans, developed in accordance with the State MS4 General Permit and required as part of the Town’s Stormwater Management Plan. 

The Flow Restoration Plan for Indian Brook showed that approximately 41.5% of the high flow target was being met and indicated that the Town needed to construct 2 projects in order to meet the target, one of which is the LDS Church stormwater retrofit project. The project will manage 46.2% of the high flow reduction target and will also reduce phosphorus loading to the Malletts Bay wateshed.

Project Details

LDS

This project is located on the LDS Church project on Essex Way. There are two detention ponds on the property – North System and South System. The North System will be retrofitted into an underground storage chamber and the South System will be retrofitted into an underground sand filter in order to receive additional phosphorus removal under the Town’s Phosphorus Control Plan. Stormwater infrastructure will be modified to take in additional stormwater from Essex Way, Lang Farm, and the Essex Resort & Spa. 

The total project cost for construction is $2,239,716.00. Approximately $200,000 has been spent on engineering services related to preliminary and final design. The project will be funded by grants. The Town was awarded a Stormwater Mitigation Grant of $1,846,205 from the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Community Formula Grant of $488,553 from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources through the Department of Conservation's Clean Water Initiative. Both grants require a 20% local match.

The bid for construction was awarded to Don Weston Excavating, Inc. Construction started on April 30, 2025, and will continue until the end of the summer. Trees will be planted as part of the project. 

Project Update

Both the North and South Systems have been constructed and the contractor is working on site restoration. The project will be completed by October 16, 2025. Photos of the project can be seen below.

North System:

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South System:


Photo 7

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Contact Information

Aaron Martin, Public Works Director
amartin@essex.org

Ann Costandi, Water Quality Director
acostandi@essex.org
Ph. (802) 878-1344