The developer's concern is warranted. If there is new development in Manchester, it is likely that the newly expanded waste water treatment facility will not accommodate existing and new residents' needs. Those residences that are on private septic systems in the southwestern part of town, plus the projected sewer demand for undeveloped land in the area, including residential, commercial, and industrial, would require Average Day Demand of approximately 1,000,000 gpd. This far exceeds the recently expanded waste water treatment facility of 500,000 gpd. In addition, if the town continues with its land- intensive method of spray irrigation, it will also have to buy and set aside more land to accommodate the larger waste water treatment facility.
Drinking water is also a concern of the town of Manchester.
The town's Comprehensive Plan projects future increases in public drinking water demand from the current 260,000 gpd to about 1,100,000 gpd Average Day Demand at full build-out. In addition, Manchester faces health issues because it sits directly on top of its drinking water supply. In a recent random check, many wells have proven to be contaminated with high nitrate levels as well as low levels of coliform, possibly from septic systems plus local agricultural practices. The town manager believes that all of the wells will have to be abandoned. Therefore, drinking water treatment facilities may have to be considered.