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
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
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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.
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Authority and Requirements
NC General Statute 143-355(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.
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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. 143-215.22G), if applicable.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Demand vs. Supply Example
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Demand vs. Supply Example
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Demand vs. Supply Example
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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.
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Integrating Water Efficiency in LWSP
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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
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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
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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.
www.ncwater.org/CCPCUA
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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 2011-374) in 2011.
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Water Supply Assistance • HB609 (Session Law 2011-374 )
– 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.
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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
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Water Supply Permitting Process • Examine projected need of water system
– Defendable demand estimates
• Evaluate water system efficiency:
– Water losses
– Water use efficiency
– Water reuse
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Recent SEPA changes
• SEPA Reform Act (Session Law 2015-90/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.
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Contact Information
Harold M. Brady Water Supply Planning Branch NC Division of Water Resources 919-707-9005 [email protected]
