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~ Water & Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County <br />WSA~ Water and Wastewater System Master Plan <br /> <br />Safe Yield Update and Regional Drought Operations <br /> <br />Location: State of Maryland <br /> <br />Management Agency: Maryland Department of the Environment <br /> <br />Drought Indicator(s): [~]Reservoir Water Levels <br /> [~Stream Flows ' <br /> [--]Water Production and Distribution Capabilities <br /> [--]Drawdown Rates <br /> ' ~]Precipitation Outlook <br /> [--]Daily Water Use Patterns <br /> [~Seasonal and Long-Term Weather Patterns <br /> [--]Availability of Water from Other Sources <br /> [~]Other:Groundwater Levels <br />Additional Information: <br />"Maryland Drought Information" <br />w ww. mde. state, md.us/Water/D rought/ho me/index, asp <br />Maryland Department of the Environment (2002) <br /> <br />"Drought Monitoring and Response Plan" <br />www. mde.state.md.us/assets/documentJdrought/droughtreport.pdf <br />Maryland Department of the Environment (2000) <br /> <br />Program Summary <br /> <br />Nearly 90 percent of Maryland's population relies on public water supplies. However, the <br />primary water source varies according to a region's geologic setting, topographic features, and <br />weather patterns. Larger water suppliers, such as the Washington Suburban Sanitary <br />Commission, operate large reservoirs, while rural systems rely on groundwater wells. Moreover, <br />the state is divided into four specific regions based on climatological similarities and water <br />sources. With this in mind, the Maryland Drought Monitoring and Response Plan includes a <br />state-wide climate monitoring program and a staged drought response plan tailored to meet the <br />state's diverse water management needs. <br /> <br />The drought monitoring program employs four regional drought indicators: precipitation deficits, <br />stream flow, groundwater levels, and reservoir storage. Current precipitation amounts, expressed <br />as a percentage of normal (30-year running average), are monitored to identify regional <br />precipitation anomalies. Sdlect streamgages .and groundwater wells represent different regions <br />and their primary water supply sources. Remaining available storage in ten reservoirs across the <br />state provide an indication of impending water shortages, particularly in the summer months. <br /> <br />The drought response plan presents a staged approach to defining drought status. Stage 1 <br />represents normal conditions. Stage 2 and Stage 3 represent a drought watch and drought <br />warning, respectively, where voluntary water use reductions are encouraged through public <br />outreach and education. Stage 4 represents a drought emergency where mandatory water use <br />restrictions are enforced in an attempt to achieve a 15-20 percent reduction in water use. <br />Prohibited activities include lawn watering, operation of ornamental fountains, and automobile <br />washing among other non-essential uses. <br /> <br />PN 096873.0800 32 <br />January 23, 2004 BLACK & VEATCH <br /> ~ ~ ~ International Company <br /> <br /> <br />