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Water Resource Associations of the Delaware River Basin

Winter '12

Public Water Systems and Water Use in the Delaware River Basin

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) recently released the results of a comprehensive study that examines trends in water use among various user sectors. The study, led by David Sayers, Supervisor of Information Technology and Water Use Section at DRBC, has been several years in the making and was presented at WRA’s Fall Conference on November 2, 2011. Trends in water consumption and use were developed for over a 30-year period for major individual users and were grouped and totaled according to sector. Water use among public water suppliers was of particular interest given that DRBC is implementing a water accountability rule in 2012.

The study showed for public and private water suppliers 21% of the Basin was covered within a service area. It also showed that approximately 80% of the Basin residents or 6.7 million customers used a publically available water supply. The total use by these ~750 systems was about 875 million gallons per day. These estimates did not include exports such as those for New York City. Publically available water systems were the second largest water use sector in the Basin behind steam electric generation (i.e.– gas, oil, coal and nuclear power plants). Interestingly, as shown in Chart 1 on the next page, water use by this sector decreased by about 15% through 2007 while the population served increased by 13%.

Although recent flooding rain events have washed away the memories of severe Basin drought events, such events in the 1960’s led the Commission to propose look at various alternatives including a main stem dam at Tocks Island to provide for future water needs. When Tocks Island was finally deauthorized in 1975, water conservation and use programs were needed to better manage water consumption for future needs. Efforts such as the Good Faith Agreement in 1983, formation of a Groundwater Advisory Committee, establishment of the Southeastern PA Groundwater Protected Area, creation of a Water Conservation Advisory Committee and adoption of various water conservation regulations in the 1980’s and 90’s were important steps in managing water use for future droughts.

Likewise, New York City’s Bureau of Water Supply implemented a comprehensive program of water loss reduction and conservation in the 1980’s. Chart 2 on the following page shows that this program has resulted in a net per capita reduction of water use by New York City’s population of nearly 40% through 2009.

Nationwide, an estimated six billion gallons per day of water is taken from water resources and never reaches the customer; this is enough water to supply the drinking water needs of the ten largest cities in the United States. In the Delaware River Basin, this number is estimated at 150 million gallons per day. Water suppliers are experiencing real water losses due to physical infrastructure failures and apparent losses resulting from inaccurate meter readings and erroneous billing practices. If the demand for water increases in the future, it is essential to ensure that water supplies and the infrastructure delivering water are dependable and efficiently move water from source to customer.

In the past, water system audits have been conducted in the absence of consistent definitions and standards and have often used inappropriate metrics for measuring the water supply efficiency. Not surprisingly, some systems bill only half, or less, of the total water they treat, pressurize, and put into the distribution system.

Beginning in 2006, DRBC’s Water Management Advisory Committee and DRBC Staff began the development of a Water Loss Accountability program within the Basin for private and municipal water suppliers. The program utilized software components developed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and utilized the expertise of George Kunkel from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). Although major suppliers such as PWD, Aqua America, PA and NJ American, Artesian and United Water have such programs in place, many smaller suppliers did not. The program should not only reduce water loss but be of an economic benefit to the supplier by reducing supply, pumping and repair costs.

As a result of this work, the Delaware River Basin Commission in 2009 amended its Comprehensive Plan and Water Code to implement an updated water audit approach to identify and control water loss in the Basin. The new approach is consistent with the International Water Association (IWA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Audit Methodology that is considered a best management practice in water loss control. The new rules are based on precise definitions and rational accounting procedures that result in a clearer understanding of the causes of water loss and allow system operators, utility managers, and regulators better target their efforts to improve water supply efficiency.

The approach adopted by the Commission included an outreach program, workshops, on-line information and voluntary implementation through 2011. Full implementation including mandatory reporting begins in 2012. The first audit reports after full implementation this year are due in by early 2013.

By recognizing such problems and proactively seeking best management solutions, the DRBC is one of a handful of regulatory agencies in the United States that has changed its regulations to reflect the improved approach to water loss accounting made possible by the IWA/AWWA methodology. The rule changes approved by the DRBC Commissioners in March 2009 were developed by DRBC staff and the DRBC’s Water Management Advisory Committee whose Chairman at the time was Bob Molzahn, President of the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin.

More information on the water audit program can be found on DRBC’s website at http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/water-audits/index.htm.
Water use data for 118 major industrial, water supply and steam electric generating facilities in the Basin can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/advisory.htm#wmac.

Certain information for this article was taken from the DRBC website and from a presentation made by David Sayers on this topic at the DRBC
Commissioner’s meeting on December 8, 2011.

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DRBC Celebrates 50 Years

Congratulations to the Delaware River Basin Commission who celebrated their 50th anniversary on October 19, 2011! More than 100 dignitaries and guests attended an afternoon conference and dinner at Shawnee-on-the-Delaware to celebrate this momentous occasion. Several speakers at the afternoon conference discussed the role and benefits of a river basin commission and touted the unique accomplishments of our own DRBC and the importance of the Delaware River to the economy of this region. br
The Delaware River Basin Commission was created on October 27, 1961, when concurrent compact legislation ratified by Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Congress became law. This was a breakthrough in water resources management since it was the first time that the federal government and a group of states joined together to create a regional body with the force of law to oversee a unified approach to managing a river system without regard to political boundaries.

Delaware Basin Gas Development Regulations Suffer Setback

On November 18, 2011, the Delaware River Basin Commission announced that the special meeting scheduled for November 21 to consider draft natural gas development regulations has been postponed to allow additional time for review by the five commission members.

Although few details were made public at the subsequent Commission meeting on December 8 or at other meetings attended by this editor it was widely reported that the Governors of Delaware and New York would not vote affirmatively for the proposed regulations as written. Interestingly, New York can control its own destiny as the sole upstream state. Alternatively, Delaware’s motives seem to be solely political since it is on the tidal portion of the river and has no water supply issue being too far south. One can only speculate, but the dredging debacle and Pennsylvania’s influence on its outcome may have also played a role.

Although another date for a meeting to take a vote has not been scheduled it is highly probable that, if the regulations are enacted, an appeal will be lodged by those opposed to gas drilling in the Basin.

Dr. John L. Buzzi Scholarship Applicants Needed

Do you know of a high school senior who may be interested in pursuing a college degree in a water resources related course of study? If you do, and they live in the Delaware River Basin, they may be eligible to apply for our annual $1000 scholarship. This past year WRA awarded scholarships to two qualified applicants. In 2012, one scholarship will be awarded.

If you know of a senior who may qualify encourage them to visit the WRA website for information on the application process. Applications are due by March 31, 2012. All applications will be reviewed by our Executive Committee. The successful recipient will be notified by mid-April.

Chairman’s Message

Let me first congratulate the members of the WRA Board of Directors that were re-elected and welcome one new member elected at our December Board meeting, Jane Rowan from Normandeau Associates, Inc. Jane replaced Paul Harmon who is on his way to retirement.

As we enter 2012, I think it is important to review some of WRA’s key accomplishments from 2011. Last year both the Annual Dinner on April 20 and the Fall Conference on November 2 provided the largest attendance numbers in several years, with the dinner setting a new record. Many thanks to all that made this possible. Thank also go to our event sponsors and those companies that took out ads in our annual dinner program. I hope all of you who participated will be able to do the same this year so please save the date of April 18, 2012 for this year’s Recognition Dinner. Although there is not a lot of time left, we are also very much interested in hearing your specific nominations for the various award categories. Our website has more information on the categories and how to make your nomination.

At the dinner we also plan to announce the recipient of the Dr. John L. Buzzi Scholarship and are currently looking for deserving candidates. Please visit the WRA website for more information on the application process. Applications should be forwarded to the WRA office by March 31.

As to our other accomplishments during 2011, a committee of WRA’s members prepared comments on the DRBC’s proposed Natural Gas Development Regulations. As with all of our comments, they were focused to be in-line with our mission statement which is to apply sound engineering and science to any proposal so as to ensure it meets the intent and complies with the core provisions of the Delaware River Basin Compact. Thanks to the work of the our committee comments were submitted. Our President, Bob Molzahn and I also attended the public hearing in Trenton at the War Memorial Building. Bob regularly attends many of the Commission’s hearings and committee meetings to provide constructive input and comments when needed.

In 2010, many of you may remember the efforts and meetings held with DRBC and some of the member states on the water use charges increase. Written comments were prepared and submitted. A major issue and comment we had pursued was the suggestion that DRBC form a committee to review future capital needs, life cycle costs and review those items which drive the water use charges, among other need. I am pleased to advise our readership that DRBC has formed this committee and met for the first time in November, 2011. Two key WRA representatives were appointed to the Committee. Bob Molzahn, WRA’s President, and Jerry Kauffman from the University of Delaware-School of Public Administration and a current WRA Board member. Bob and Jerry were subsequently chosen Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively by the committee members. We congratulate Bob and Jerry on their selection and I know they look forward to working with the other members of the committee.

Although it is few months away I hope to see many of you at our April 18 dinner. All the best for the New Year!

-Dennis Palmer, P.E., Chairman