Water Supply Planning & Development

Transcription

1 Water Supply Planning & Development Harold M. Brady Division of Water Resources Department of Environment and Natural Resources PWSS ARO 2015 Operator Workshop September 15, 2015 Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 1

2 Outline How demand data is collected How future demands are forecasted Planning decisions to make When to pursue additional raw water supply, When to start expansion of water plants Overview of establishing a new intake Recent environmental review process changes Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 2

3 Local Water Supply Plan A Local Water Supply Plan (LWSP) is a self-reported assessment of a water system's current and future water needs and its ability to meet those needs. Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 3

4 Authority and Requirements NC General Statute (l) Establishes the need for a LWSP. Requires reporting from water systems that provide or plan to provide water service. This includes: All units of local government, All community water systems that regularly serve 1,000 or more service connections, or 3,000 or more people. Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 4

5 Contents A LWSP must include: Present and projected population and water use demand within the service area, Present and future water supplies, Water Efficiency Plan addresses how water can be used in the most efficient way, Water Shortage Response Plan addresses water use during drought and water shortage emergencies, Surface Water Transfers (IBT) Worksheets (G.S G), if applicable. Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 5

6 Required Revisions Revisions to the LWSP are required: Water use data must be submitted annually, Approved and adopted at least once every five years, When the Department requests a revision. Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 6

7 Outline How demand data is collected How future demands are forecasted Planning decisions to make When to pursue additional raw water supply, When to start expansion of water plants Overview of establishing a new intake Recent environmental review process changes Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 7

8 LWSP & Planning Decisions When foreseeable future water needs meet or exceed eighty percent (80%) of a water system s current and/or prospective available supply within the next thirty years, When the seasonal demand exceeds ninety percent (90%) of a water system s current available supply. Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 8

9 Demand vs. Supply Example Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 9

10 Demand vs. Supply Example Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 10

11 Demand vs. Supply Example 11

12 Water Efficiency Must include a plan for the reduction of long-term per capita demand for potable water. Online LWSP system has been modified to help water systems better track their long-term per capita water demand. Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 12

13 Integrating Water Efficiency in LWSP Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 13

14 Integrating Best Management Practices Integrate water efficiency/conservation into LWSP Water audits & water loss abatement programs Metering and submetering of existing connections Retrofitting residential fixtures Outdoor water use efficiency Rainwater harvesting & reuse Public information & school education Water purchasing contracts Water use pricing Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 14

15 How is the LWSP data used? Drives the development of hydrologic models Research data Accurate assessments for legislative and executive branches of state government Keeps local water system managers aware of potential vulnerabilities of individual systems Identification of water systems in need of state government assistance Eligibility for sate water infrastructure funds Provides general public with information Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 15

16 Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area (CCPCUA) 15 county region in the coastal plain Permitting of ground water withdrawals required above 100,000 gallons per day Registration of all withdrawals above 10,000 gallons per day (surface or ground water) Reductions in withdrawals required for certain aquifers A temporary permit may be acquired if permit holder meets certain requirements which would allow exemption from future reductions. Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 16

17 Need More Water? Water Supply Planning Branch Mission Provide technical assistance to local governments by planning, identifying water supply needs, identifying and developing water supply sources to address their long-term water supply needs. This process of division staff working with local water systems was formalized with the passage of HB 609 (Session Law ) in

18 Water Supply Assistance HB609 (Session Law ) To promote the development of water supply resources and to improve the efficiency of use of NC s water resources. Cooperate in the identification of water supply needs and appropriate water supply sources and water storage projects. Assist in the assessment of alternatives. Apply for State and federal permits. Be the principal State agency to cooperate with other State and federal agencies in the planning and development of water supply and water storage projects. 18

19 Water Supply Development Assistance (HB 609) Existing and Projected Water Supply Condition Define Purpose and Need - Scoping Alternative Development & Analyses Environmental, Economic, and Sociographic Assessments. Preferred Alternative Selection Planning Approvals (NEPA/SEPA) Permitting Authorizations Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 19

20 Water Supply Permitting Process Examine projected need of water system Defendable demand estimates Evaluate water system efficiency: Water losses Water use efficiency Water reuse 20

21 Water Supply Permitting Process (cont d) Identify Potential Options (listed below from normally least to most difficult to permit) Maximize use of existing water system Interconnection / Regional System Groundwater sources (Located out/in the capacity use area) Water Storage/Quarry Expanded or additional surface water intake Allocation or reallocation of existing water storage in a reservoir Side stream reservoir Mainstem reservoir 21

22 Potential Challenges with Permitting Process Lack of planning Not having scoping meetings with key state and federal agencies before the permitting process began Lack of proper documentation of need Bias in choosing an alternative and site selection Tunnel vision; Not the LEDPA Threatened & Endangered Species Wetlands and streams impacts requiring mitigation Environmental Justice 22

23 Potential Impediments/Challenges with Permitting Process (cont d) Fish Passage for Migratory Species Interbasin Transfer Certificate Water Supply Water Quality Reclassification Concerns from other local governments Applicant decisions on study Consultant experience and level of staffing Simultaneous or sequential work? Availability of funding Need to coordinate with other water systems 23

24 Outline How demand data is collected How future demands are forecasted Planning decisions to make When to pursue additional raw water supply, When to start expansion of water plants Overview of establishing a new intake Recent environmental review process changes Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 24

25 Recent SEPA changes SEPA Reform Act (Session Law /HB 795) Signed by Gov. McCoury June 19, 2015 Effective immediately Institutes thresholds (dollars/acreage) for initiation of the SEPA review process. $10 million in State funds, unless revolving fund monies are involved 10 acres of permanent impacts Effects of some the finer points of the legislation remain unclear. Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 25

26 Contact Information Harold M. Brady Water Supply Planning Branch NC Division of Water Resources Managing Water Resources to Support North Carolina s Future 26