Virginias Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Regulation

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Virginias Local and Regional Water Supply
Planning Regulation 9 VAC 25-780
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Overview

• Impetus for the regulation
• Recent drought conditions
• Stakeholder Involvement
• Regulation development
• Regulations key elements
• Implementation
• Stakeholder involvement

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2002 Drought Impacts
Six basins reached record low streamflows
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2002 Drought Impacts
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2002 Drought Impacts

• August
• Executive Order water use restrictions
• October
• 19 VDGIF boat ramps closed
• 16 public water systems on watch status
• Proactive water supply planning needed!

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2003 Senate Bill 1221

• Develop criteria for local regional water
  supply plans
• Establish state water resources plan
• Formalize Water Policy Technical Advisory
  Committee (TAC)

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2003 Water Policy TAC
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2003 Water Policy TAC
Mission To identify the roles and
responsibilities of state and local governments
to assure groundwater and surface water resources
are used in a sustainable way that protects
environmental resources and meets citizen water
needs, now and in the future.
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2003 Hopes and Fears of Water Supply Planning

• Potential conflicts resource limitations
• Economic business planning
• Water withdrawal permitting process
• Unfunded mandate
• State planning state allocation of water
• Change in regulatory status quo
• Curtailing growth development

(Rubin 2005)
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2004 and 2005 Water Policy TAC Summary

• April 2005
• Public hearing and comment period (60 day)
• June 2005
• State Water Control Board adopts regulation
• Two-year, consensus-based, stakeholder process
• First step in water supply planning for Virginia

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Local and Regional Water Supply Planning
Regulation, 9 VAC 25-780

• Effective November 2, 2005
• Establishes comprehensive water supply planning
  process
• Outlines criteria for water supply plan
  development

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DEQ Goals

• Provide adequate, reliable, and safe water to
  citizens in a way that balances the need for
  environmental protection and provides for future
  growth.
• Establish a
  comprehensive
  and continuous
  planning process for the wise use of our
  water resources.

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Water Supply Planning Criteria

• Description of existing water sources
• Description of existing water use
• Assessment of projected water demand
• Statement of future need
• Potential alternatives analysis to address
  projected deficits in supplies

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Local Program Adoption (2008 2011)

• Description of existing water resource conditions
• Description of water management actions
• Copies of adopted documents (plans, ordinances,
  resolutions)

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Water Supply Planning Program
Local or Regional Plan?
Assess
Water Supply Planning
Design
Adjust
40, 70 - 130
Revise plan
Implement
Evaluate
Program Review 140
50 (A - C)
Monitor
50 (D, E)
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Water Supply Planning Programs

• Comprehensive planning process
• Ensures availability of drinking water
• Protects all beneficial uses
• Encourages alternative water sources
• Promotes conservation

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Water Supply Planning Summary

• Stakeholder problem solving
• Consensus product
• Stakeholder supported

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Water Supply Planning Summary

• Create water planning partnerships
• Increase public involvement, support in
  resource decisions
• Improve understanding of
• Our long-term water needs,
• Our water resources, and
• Their sustainability.

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Tammy D. Stephenson Senior Water Supply
Planner Office of Water Supply Planning (540)562-6
828 tammy.stephenson_at_deq.virginia.gov http//www
.deq.virginia.gov/watersupplyplanning/ homepage.ht
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