Connecticut Water team plants 600 trees in Naugatuck to protect water source

NAUGATUCK, Conn., Oct. 10, 2025-Connecticut Water employee volunteers, along with Connwood Foresters Inc., recently planted 600 white pine trees around Moody Reservoir as part of a leaf screen project to protect the long-term quality of a critical water source.

Leaf screens involve a strategic planting of conifers along the shoreline of a water source to help block or catch deciduous leaves before they enter the water source. Decomposing leaves in the reservoir release nutrients and other organic material, which can reduce water quality, increase treatment needs and also clog filters.

The evergreens provide a year-round buffer that filters leaves, stabilizes soil, and helps maintain the health of the water source. Forests act as natural water filters - capturing sediment, absorbing nutrients, and breaking down pollutants before they can reach a reservoir. Leaf litter and organic matter slow runoff and allow water to percolate through the soil, where it is naturally filtered and cooled.

Connecticut Water owns more than 6,500 acres land in Connecticut as dedicated open space to protect water sources. We invest in additional watershed acreage as it is available and beneficial to the protection of our water supply.

Learn more about how we protect water sources.