Laserfiche WebLink
~ Water & Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County <br />V~CC Water and Wastewater System Master Plan <br /> <br />Safe Yield Update and Regional Drought Operations <br /> <br />Location: State of Pennsylvania <br /> <br />Management Agency: <br /> <br />Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency <br />Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection <br /> <br />Drought Indicator(s): <br /> <br />Additional Information: <br /> <br />[~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, Palmer Drought Severity Index <br /> <br />"Drought Informaiion Center (Pennsylvania)" <br />www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/hotopics/drought/ <br />Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (2002) <br /> <br />Program Summary <br /> <br />The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) monitors state-wide drought <br />conditions and provides recommendations for drought response to the Pennsylvania Emergency <br />Management Agency (PEMA). The Pennsylvania Drought Management Plan includes a drought <br />monitoring program, which is based on regional drought indicators, and a comprehensive drought <br />response program that outlines conservation measures and water use restrictions to be <br />implemented as appropriate. <br /> <br />The drought monitoring program employs five climatic parameters as drought indicators as <br />shown above. Precipitation deficits, expressed as a percentage of normal (30-year running <br />average), provide an earl.y indication of impending drought conditions. DEP calculates 30-day <br />average stream flows for 73 streamgages throughout the state and compares these values to <br />exceedance probabilities. Similarly, groundwater wells (including at least one well in each <br />county) are monitored to provide 30-day average depths to water and compared to representative <br />exceedances. Remaining available storage in several reservoirs across the state provide an <br />indication of impending water shortages. The PDSI represents long-term, abnormal climatic <br />variations. <br /> <br />The drought response plan presents a staged approach to defining drought status. A drought <br />watch status requires.voluntary conservation targeting a five percent water use reduction. A <br />drought warning requires additional voluntary conservation to achieve a 10-15 percent reduction. <br />A drought emergency initiates increased coordination among the various agencies to ensure <br />effective implementation of drought response measures, which may include mandatory non- <br />essential water use restrictions or water rationing if needed. <br /> <br />In addition to the state-wide drought management plan, Pennsylvania requires all public water <br />suppliers to submit individual drought contingency plans. These plans must identify a drought <br />watch, warning, and emergency for each specific water system. <br /> <br />PN 096873.0800 33 <br />January 23, 2004 BLACK & VEATCH <br /> (~. International Company <br /> <br /> <br />