1

Pennsylvania’s Drought Update

Pennsylvania’s Drought Update

January 28, 2002January 28, 2002

2

Drought ’02Drought ’02

Will There Be Enough Water for Everyone?

Will There Be Enough Water for Everyone?

33

DroughtDrought

Condition resulting primarily from lack of precipitation (or recharge) such that water resources are not adequate to meet demands

Condition resulting primarily from lack of precipitation (or recharge) such that water resources are not adequate to meet demands

44

How Do We Know We Are Having a Drought?

How Do We Know We Are Having a Drought?

Precipitation Stream flow Groundwater levels Palmer drought

index Reservoir levels

Precipitation Stream flow Groundwater levels Palmer drought

index Reservoir levels

55

Precipitation Gages437 Total Sites State-wide (226

Automated)

Precipitation Gages437 Total Sites State-wide (226

Automated)

66

Stream Flow GagesStream Flow Gages

237 gages in state, 59 used for drought monitoring

77

Monitoring WellsMonitoring Wells

67 observation wells state-wide

40 used to make drought monitoring decisions

88

Palmer Drought Index RegionsCompiled weekly by the National Weather

Service

Palmer Drought Index RegionsCompiled weekly by the National Weather

Service

99

Reservoir LevelsReservoir LevelsStorage in several large public

water supply reservoirs are used for drought monitoring.

1010

Drought TriggersDrought TriggersWatch Warning Emergency

Precipitation Deficits

(12 month drought

duration)

15% (deficit) of normal

precipitation

25% (deficit) of normal

precipitation

35% (deficit) of normal

precipitation

Stream Flows30-day average flow exceeded

75% of the time

30-day average flow exceeded

90% of the time

30-day average flow exceeded 95% of the time

Groundwater Levels

30-day average groundwater

levels exceeded 75%

of the time

30-day average groundwater

levels exceeded 90%

of the time

30-day average groundwater

levels exceeded 95%

of the time

Soil Moisture-Palmer Drought Severity

Index

Values of –2.00 to –2.99

Values of –3.00 to –3.99

Values of –4 or less

1111

Levels of DroughtLevels of Drought

WatchVoluntary reduction by 5% to 10%

WarningVoluntary reduction by 10% to 15%

EmergencyNon-essential water use restrictions

1212

1313

90-day Precipitation Map90-day Precipitation Map

1414

Stream FlowsStream Flows

1515

Groundwater LevelsGroundwater Levels

1616

Palmer IndexPalmer Index

1717

New York City ReservoirsNew York City ReservoirsTotal Reservoir Storage

January 15, 2002

                                                                                                                         

(Percentage of Capacity)

168 billion gallons less than last year at this time

1818

1919

Water Supplies in TroubleWater Supplies in Trouble

29-Voluntary Water Use Restrictions

42- Mandatory Water Use Restrictions

25 Counties affected

29-Voluntary Water Use Restrictions

42- Mandatory Water Use Restrictions

25 Counties affected

2020

Status of Other StatesStatus of Other States

2121

Upgraded to warning

1/18/02Upgraded to watch

1/18/02

2222

Watch

Watch

Normal

Watch

MarylandMaryland

2323

Watch

Watch

Warning

Warning

Watch

Warning

2424

                                                                                                     

                  For Immediate ReleaseDecember 18, 2001

DROUGHT EMERGENCY DECLARED IN THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - With reservoir storage and ground water supplies well below seasonable averages, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today declared a drought emergency in the 13,539 square-mile watershed which drains portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

2525

DEP Drought CoordinationDEP Drought Coordination DEP coordinates with the Delaware River

Basin Commission (DRBC) and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC)- interstate-federal agencies responsible for managing the water resources within the Delaware and Susquehanna River watersheds

DEP coordinates with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC)- interstate-federal agencies responsible for managing the water resources within the Delaware and Susquehanna River watersheds

2626

How Bad is It?How Bad is It?

’98-’99 vs ’01-’02

2727

’98-’99 Drought(in current drought warning area)

’98-’99 Drought(in current drought warning area)

We entered the summer of ’98 with normal to above normal stream and well levels

Precipitation dropped off from July ’98 through December ’98

Significant precipitation occurred statewide in January ’99.

It took two hurricanes (Dennis and Floyd) in September ’99 to raise stream and well levels

We entered the summer of ’98 with normal to above normal stream and well levels

Precipitation dropped off from July ’98 through December ’98

Significant precipitation occurred statewide in January ’99.

It took two hurricanes (Dennis and Floyd) in September ’99 to raise stream and well levels

2828

’01-’02 (in current drought warning area)

’01-’02 (in current drought warning area)

We have had below normal precipitation since October 2000

Groundwater and stream levels have been below normal since about June

Gages currently show below normal precipitation, stream and well levels in a season with frozen ground conditions and lower recharge potential

We have had below normal precipitation since October 2000

Groundwater and stream levels have been below normal since about June

Gages currently show below normal precipitation, stream and well levels in a season with frozen ground conditions and lower recharge potential

2929

Example of Trends in Cumberland County

Example of Trends in Cumberland County

Precipitation

Stream Levels

Well Levels

J F M A M J J A S O N D

1998

Normal or above

Below normal

3030

Example of Trends in Cumberland County

Example of Trends in Cumberland County

Precipitation

Stream Levels

Well Levels

J F M A M J J A S O N D

2001

Normal or above

Below normal

3131

Long-range ForecastLong-range Forecast

3232

How Do We Manage a Drought?

How Do We Manage a Drought?

Governor Declares an Emergency on a County by County Basis

PEMA drought management regulations activated banning non-essential water use

Governor Declares an Emergency on a County by County Basis

PEMA drought management regulations activated banning non-essential water use

WatchWarningEmergency

3333

Overview of Drought Management Regulations

Overview of Drought Management Regulations

Revised regulations effective July 7, 2001

Focus on planning and not reacting Recognizes advances in

technology Reflects lessons learned during

drought emergency of ’98 & ‘99

Revised regulations effective July 7, 2001

Focus on planning and not reacting Recognizes advances in

technology Reflects lessons learned during

drought emergency of ’98 & ‘99

3434

Regulations Addressing Drought Management

Regulations Addressing Drought Management

3535

CHAPTER 118. REDUCTIONS OF MAJOR WATER USE IN A

COMMONWEALTH DROUGHT EMERGENCY AREA

CHAPTER 119. PROHIBITION OF NONESSENTIAL WATER USES IN A

COMMONWEALTH DROUGHT EMERGENCY AREA

CHAPTER 120. LOCAL WATER RATIONING PLANS

3636

Chapter 118Chapter 118

Provides for preparation and implementation of drought contingency plans by:– Public water supplies (>50

connections)– Major commercial water users– Major industrial water users

Provides for preparation and implementation of drought contingency plans by:– Public water supplies (>50

connections)– Major commercial water users– Major industrial water users

3737

Drought Contingency Plan Submission

Drought Contingency Plan Submission

Any time As directed by Governor’s

emergency proclamation As ordered by Commonwealth

Drought Coordinator (CDC)

Any time As directed by Governor’s

emergency proclamation As ordered by Commonwealth

Drought Coordinator (CDC)

3838

Public Water Supply Drought Contingency Plan

Elements:

Public Water Supply Drought Contingency Plan

Elements: Analysis of water

availability and water use over the last 12 month period

Description of trigger levels Plan of action Variance procedures Desirable to have plan

implemented at all times

Analysis of water availability and water use over the last 12 month period

Description of trigger levels Plan of action Variance procedures Desirable to have plan

implemented at all times

3939

Self-supplied Commercial and Industrial Water Users

Contingency Plans

Self-supplied Commercial and Industrial Water Users

Contingency Plans

Users of water greater than 100,000 gallons per day (gpd)– Develop, adopt and make plans available

Users of water greater than 500,000 gpd– Develop, adopt and submit plans to CDC

Other water users upon order from CDC

Users of water greater than 100,000 gallons per day (gpd)– Develop, adopt and make plans available

Users of water greater than 500,000 gpd– Develop, adopt and submit plans to CDC

Other water users upon order from CDC

4040

Commercial and Industrial Drought Contingency Plan

Elements:

Commercial and Industrial Drought Contingency Plan

Elements: Analysis of water availability and

water use over past 12 months Analysis of water availability and

water use over past 12 months

4141

Commercial and Industrial Drought Contingency Plan

Elements:

Commercial and Industrial Drought Contingency Plan

Elements: Description of previously

undertaken water conservation measures

Description of previously undertaken water conservation measures

4242

Commercial and Industrial Drought Contingency Plan

Elements:

Commercial and Industrial Drought Contingency Plan

Elements: Plan of actions based on 5%, 15%,

25%, 35% and 50% reduction in water use

Plan of actions based on 5%, 15%, 25%, 35% and 50% reduction in water use

4343

Commercial and Industrial Contingency Plan Implementation

Commercial and Industrial Contingency Plan Implementation

As ordered by CDC Significant drought

required to prompt implementation order

As directed in a Governor’s emergency proclamation

As ordered by CDC Significant drought

required to prompt implementation order

As directed in a Governor’s emergency proclamation

4444

County Drought Management Task Force

County Drought Management Task Force Established by County

Commissioners within time frame specified in Governor’s Emergency Proclamation

Coordinates and monitors all drought reporting and water conservation measures undertaken in the county

Reports monthly to CDC

Established by County Commissioners within time frame specified in Governor’s Emergency Proclamation

Coordinates and monitors all drought reporting and water conservation measures undertaken in the county

Reports monthly to CDC

4545

Chapter 119Chapter 119

Restricts non-essential water uses in response to a drought or water shortage emergency declared by the Governor

Restricts non-essential water uses in response to a drought or water shortage emergency declared by the Governor

4646

Prohibition of Non-essential Water Uses

Prohibition of Non-essential Water Uses

Watering grass Athletic fields

(except under approved plan)

Gardens and Landscaping

Golf Courses (except under approved plan)

Watering grass Athletic fields

(except under approved plan)

Gardens and Landscaping

Golf Courses (except under approved plan)

Paved surfaces Ornamental uses Mobile equipment Serving in

restaurants (unless requested)

Swimming pools Specific fire hydrant

uses Use of any water not

for a beneficial use

Paved surfaces Ornamental uses Mobile equipment Serving in

restaurants (unless requested)

Swimming pools Specific fire hydrant

uses Use of any water not

for a beneficial use

4747

ExceptionsExceptions

Each prohibition has associated limited exceptions listed in Chapter 119 (for example-watering athletic fields is

allowable under an approved plan).

4848

Exemptions and VariancesExemptions and Variances

Water user must demonstrate extraordinary hardship

Public water suppliers must demonstrate adequate water supply and follow an approved drought contingency plan

Water user must demonstrate extraordinary hardship

Public water suppliers must demonstrate adequate water supply and follow an approved drought contingency plan

4949

Exemptions and VariancesExemptions and Variances

CDC makes a decision within 7 working days (one day if perishable products are involved)

Areawide exemptions or variances for similar situated water users possible

Decisions may be appealed to PEMA

CDC makes a decision within 7 working days (one day if perishable products are involved)

Areawide exemptions or variances for similar situated water users possible

Decisions may be appealed to PEMA

5050

Chapter 120Chapter 120

Establishes procedures for the CDC to review and approve local water rationing plans in response to severe local water shortages. Such plans can be approved only under the authority of a declared emergency.

Establishes procedures for the CDC to review and approve local water rationing plans in response to severe local water shortages. Such plans can be approved only under the authority of a declared emergency.

5151

Typical Water Rationing Plan Content

Typical Water Rationing Plan Content

Prohibition of non-essential water use

Equitable rationing provisions (% reduction, or assigned customer allocations)

Variance and exemption provisions to address extraordinary hardships

Prohibition of non-essential water use

Equitable rationing provisions (% reduction, or assigned customer allocations)

Variance and exemption provisions to address extraordinary hardships

5252

Implementation of Local Water Rationing Plan

Implementation of Local Water Rationing Plan

By application to the CDC, who must approve the local rationing plan

At the direction of the CDC

By application to the CDC, who must approve the local rationing plan

At the direction of the CDC

5353

Additional Water Rationing Provisions

Additional Water Rationing Provisions

Enforced at the local level Service interruptions are

authorized Excess use charges are authorized

– Maximum of 5 times the actual rate for first 2,000 gallons and 10 times actual rate for each 1,000 gallons or portion thereof

Enforced at the local level Service interruptions are

authorized Excess use charges are authorized

– Maximum of 5 times the actual rate for first 2,000 gallons and 10 times actual rate for each 1,000 gallons or portion thereof

5454

Additional Water Rationing Provisions

Additional Water Rationing Provisions

Customer service interruptions used– Individual flow restrictions and

termination of water service to individual customers is authorized

Customer service interruptions used– Individual flow restrictions and

termination of water service to individual customers is authorized

5555

Drought ’02Will There Be Enough Water for

Everyone?

Drought ’02Will There Be Enough Water for

Everyone?

We don’t know We don’t know

•We need to be prepared

5656

What Else Is DEP Doing to Manage Water Resources?What Else Is DEP Doing to Manage Water Resources?

Supporting passage of Water Resources Conservation and Protection Legislation

Proposing a new Comprehensive Stormwater Management Policy

Supporting passage of Water Resources Conservation and Protection Legislation

Proposing a new Comprehensive Stormwater Management Policy

5757

Major Elements of Proposed Water Resources LegislationMajor Elements of Proposed Water Resources Legislation

Update State Water Plan

Identify Critical Water Planning Areas

Encourage locally developed Integrated Water Resource Plans

Update State Water Plan

Identify Critical Water Planning Areas

Encourage locally developed Integrated Water Resource Plans

Establish water use reduction and water conservation incentives

Establish water well construction requirements

Establish water use reduction and water conservation incentives

Establish water well construction requirements

5858

Major Elements of Updated Stormwater Management

Policy

Major Elements of Updated Stormwater Management

Policy Encourage infiltration of

stormwater Implement federal regulations Achieve administrative efficiencies

within DEP

Encourage infiltration of stormwater

Implement federal regulations Achieve administrative efficiencies

within DEP

                                                   

5959

We Are All Sharing a Limited Resource -

Water

We Are All Sharing a Limited Resource -

Water

6060

Let’s Use It WiselyLet’s Use It Wisely