Water Supply Management in New Jersey

Transcription

1 Water Supply Management in New Jersey Michele Putnam Director Division of Water Supply NJDEP September 10, 2008

2 Overview of Today s s Discussion Goals of the Division of Water Supply Water Supply Challenges State Water Supply Plan - Update Water Conservation as a Statewide Initiative

3 Goals: Division of Water Supply 1. Protect Public Health: Ensure delivery of water that meets Safe Drinking Water Standards 2. Provide adequate water to satisfy the water supply needs of citizens of the State within the sustainable limits of the resource 3. Protect water resources and water resource- dependent species

4 Water Supply Management Act The Water Supply Management Act; N.J.S.A. 58-1A, authorizes the Department to manage and plan for protection and utilization of the waters and natural environment of the State through diversion permitting that ensure adequate supply and quality of water resources.

5 Water Supply Management Challenges Demand for water to serve a growing and shifting population Limited space for new conventional water supplies, such as reservoirs Declining ground water levels/salt water intrusion Water Quality Issues (e.g. C1, TMDLs) Variations in climate patterns Inverse relationship between Precipitation/Demand Integration with other Planning Initiatives and State Objectives (e.g. WQMP) Changing behavior

6 Water Use Summary: Statewide Annual Water Use: Approx 3.0 Billion Gallons per day in 1990 Decreased by 10% or 0.3 billion gallons ( ) 99) Reductions due to reductions in power generation and industrial uses Irrigation and other outdoor water uses Substantial monthly variations (Peaks)

7 Water Use in NJ 1990 Water Use by Category (2.9 billion gallons/day) 1999 Water Use by Category (2.6 billion gallons/day) <1% <1% 2% 4% 8% <1% <1% <1% 7% 5% 3% <1% 41% 45% 35% 49%

8 increased by 42% or 24 billion gallons from Consumptive Use in NJ increased by million gallons 100,000 90,000 80,000 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10, Consumptive Use Linear (Consumptive Use)

9 Population & Water Demands NJ s s 2000 Census Population = 1996 NJSWSP Projected 2020 Population Projected 2020 Population = 9.53 Million* So, in just 12 Years An additional 1.12 Million People Added Demand = ~100+ MGD Avg. Significantly Higher Peak Summer Demands *Based on Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) estimates being used in support of NJ Water Supply Plan

10 NJ Population and Population Projections 11,000,000 10,000,000 Population 9,000,000 8,000,000 7,000,000 6,000,000 5,000,000 4,000, Census 1955 TAMS Study 1982 WSMP 1996 WSMP NJDOL MPO

11 A Changing Climate Average Rainfall 45 inches/year. Historic weather conditions may not serve as a reliable basis for future water supply planning Measured Climatic Extremes over the Past Two Years Hottest Summer ever recorded 2005 Warmest/Driest August/September ever 2005 Wettest month on record (11.96") October 2005 Driest March (0.77 ) 2006 Wettest Fall on record (18.78") th Driest September on record (1.14 ) 2007 Warmest October ever recorded

12 New Jersey Water Supply Plan (NJWSP)

13 Water Supply Plan Objectives Define current water supply status Current water use amounts and trends Amount of existing approved sources of supply (approved allocations and water service areas) Define sustainable resource capacity Identified thresholds for surface water systems, confined and unconfined aquifers and streams Identify areas that are in deficit and surplus (Current and at full allocation) Compare this to projected demands and identify gaps Make recommendations regarding new policies, capital improvement projects, etc.

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15 Major D/C Water Use Type

16 Hydrograph of Ground Water Recovery in Critical Areas

17 Preliminary Results... Sources of supply are reaching the limits of sustainability Some areas appear over-allocated Earlier transfer of water will help mitigate droughts Water Quality issues will continue to play a large role in Water Quantity decision-making in the future (e.g. TMDLs) Reducing consumptive losses ( (e.g. demand reduction, reuse, discharge within HUC 11) and water transfers expected to play a key role in future water supply management

18 Overarching Policies Ensure sustainability of existing supplies no new or increased Allocate supply consistent with State Objectives: Endorsed Plans, WQMPs Maintain and enhance monitoring and tools (e.g. Water Tracking, Drought monitoring) Ensure adequate infrastructure for routine and emergency conditions AND

19 Ensure Efficient Use of Existing Supplies: Promote Reclaimed Water for Beneficial Reuse Restrict use of potable supplies for highly consumptive, non-potable purposes Improved regulatory controls (DWS, DWQ, DWM) Decrease unnecessary water waste - Statewide Water Conservation Initiative with Rutgers, EPA, & YOU!!

20 Draft Conservation Recommendations Components of Conservation Initiative Public Education and Outreach Reducing Unaccounted-for Water Losses Outdoor Water Use Restrictions - Statewide and thru Local Ordinances Water Conservation Rates Infrastructure Retrofits Benefits: Less costly Less environmental impacts (Energy, construction etc.) Preserves potable supplies for people and ecological protection

21 Division of Water Supply