DELAWARE’S DRINKING WATER. Preface §This is NOT intended to be a complete analysis of...

DELAWARE’S DRINKING WATER

Preface

This is NOT intended to be a complete analysis of Delaware’s water, waterways or its regulations.

This IS intended to give you some basic information; foster further interest in our region’s water

and waterways; get you involved in protecting our water!

Did You Know…..?

“Water will be the “blue-gold” of the 21st century” -- The United Nations

“Water is arguably Delaware’s most precious natural resource” -- Water Resources Agency

Gerald Kauffman, State Water Coordinator, Water Resources Agency

New Castle County’s Drinking Water Comes From:

streams- 75% and wells- 25%

New Castle County’s Drinking Water Specifically Comes From:

Watersheds in the Christina River Basin

What is a Watershed?

A watershed is the land area that drains water to a stream, river, or lake.

Watersheds come in many shapes and sizes.

Larger watersheds are composed of many smaller watersheds.

75% of New Castle County’s Drinking Water Comes From:

Brandywine Creek Red Clay CreekWhite Clay CreekChristina River

Each of the above is a major watershed in the Christina River Basin.

Christina River BasinThe Brandywine, Red

Clay and White Clay Creek Watersheds all empty into the Christina River.

The Christina River empties into the Delaware River-- in Wilmington.

Christina Water BasinProvides water for these suppliers:

Delaware City of Wilmington City of Newark United Water

Delaware Artesian Water

Pennsylvania: Coatesville, Downingtown, Kennett Square, Avondale/WestGrove, Philadelphia Suburban

Specific Surface Waters thatProvide Drinking Water:

Brandywine Creek• City of Wilmington

Red Clay Creek• United Water Delaware

White Clay Creek• United Water Delaware

• City of Newark

Christina River• United Water Delaware

Ground Water Provides Drinking Water for:

Artesian Water CompanyIndividual wells

So….From What Water Source Does Your Water Come?

What the EPA Says About Drinking Water Contaminants:

What is the Quality of Water in The Christina Basin? Streams in the Christina Basin contain:

1. Excessive nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, that depress dissolved oxygen levels and disturb the “fishable”quality of the waters. Phosphorus has remained the same over the years, but nitrogen levels are increasing. Nitrogen is from fertilizers and manure.


2. Elevated toxics (zinc) levels from superfund and hazardous waste sites along the Red Clay and White Clay Creeks in Kennett Square, PA and Yorklyn, DE. Zinc levels have remained the same over the years in both creeks. Both states are involved in the clean up program.


3. Higher than desired bacteria levels which negatively affect the “swimmable” quality of the streams. Note: coliform counts have actually decreased along Brandywine at Chadds Ford, PA due to improved wastewater technology, agriculture conservation programs, and better septic systems.


4. High sediment loads which carry topsoil into turbid streams. Sediment loads have decreased slightly over the last several years.


5. Health warnings against the consumption of fish from the urban waterways due to high levels of PCB’s-- occur in 82 streams. In the Brandywine Creek, the pesticide chlordane (which has been banned) is the cause of the fish advisories.


6. Degraded stream habitat due to upstream development and stormwater runoff in the watershed. This situation has worsened over the years.

What Other Factors Are Important to the Christina Watershed?

Wastewater Discharges- these have declined by 70% from 1977 to 1999 due to regional wastewater plans that were implemented.

However, even in 2004 wastewater STILL continues to be discharged into our streams and rivers! (See next four slides)

What Other Factors Are Important to the Christina Watershed? (Wastewater discharges)

The News Journal, 8/9/ 2002: Wilmington’s sewer system routinely dumps raw sewage during rains into the Christina & Brandywine Rivers, Shellpot Creek, Little Mill and Silverbrook. New holding tanks are designed to capture 60 million of the 76 million gallons that overflow from 2 of the 38 pipes each year! Not all of it!


The News Journal, Aug. 9, 2002

The remaining 16 million gallons of overflow will continue to discharge into Silverbrook Run and Little Mill Creek after the project is complete.

“A survey of the empty creek last week illustrated how just about anything that goes into toilets or storm drains on city streets winds up in the waterways near the overflow pipes….Toilet paper was entwined in sticks and on rocks, condoms and tampons were on the creek bed, along with cans and bottles,…..”

Question: Where are the other 36 overflow pipes????


Could there be overflow pipes here???

What Other Factors Are Important to the Christina Watershed?

Dissolved Oxygen- These levels have increased since 1990 along the Brandywine, due to wastewater treatment standards imposed. High dissolved oxygen levels are necessary for the preservation of fauna (animals) species in streams and rivers.

What Other Factors Are Important to the Christina Watershed?Impervious Cover- (the amount of buildings

and pavement in the watershed) has increased from 9% in 1975 to 16% in 1995. Impervous cover that surpasses 10-15% is expected to have negative effects on stream habitat, wetlands, water quality, and trout streams.

However, NCC zoning regulations allow developers 20% impervious cover!

What Other Factors Are Important to the Christina Watershed?Open Space- Both Pennsylvania and Delaware

have recently acquired large amounts of public open space which provide multi-objective watershed protection benefits.

However, some zoning laws have allowed uncontrolled growth with few “green areas”.

Effects of Increasing Population:Increase in impervious cover, due to

increased building and development.

Decrease in open space due to building and development.

Increase in water demand Increase in wastewater

Water Demand for NCC

In 1990 the population of NCC was 441,930 and the water demand was 66 mgd (million gallons per day)

In 2000 the population of NCC was 500,930 and the water demand was 75 mgd.



Water demands in 2001 were 68 million gallons/day normally 90 million gallons/day at peak times



Technical studies forecast a 17 mgd deficit in water supplies in northern Delaware by the year 2020.


Some people predict the shortage will come sooner.

Climate

Because Northern Delaware utilizes surface streams for such a large percentage of consumable water, the climate of the region is a very important factor in the issue of water availability.

Delaware’s hydrologic budget

Delaware gets 44 inches of precipitation a year

26 inches is lost to evapotranspiration4 inches is lost to direct runoff-

eventually it ends up in the groundwater

14 inches left to seep into groundwater

Climate

Extreme variability of precipitation in the Delmarva area is a significant source of drought problems.

Temperatures vary also, but to a much lesser degree.

Drought- Type 1

Soil Moisture drought short period of time (days or weeks) decrease in precipitation is often accompanied

by an increase in evapotranspiration primarily affects agriculture and lawns usually occurs during the summer months

Drought- Type 2

Hydrologic drought (1999) (2002) longer in time span (months) long-term lack of precipitation lowered streamflows lowered well levels lowered reservoir levels affects human usage, water supplies and aquatic

communities

Why is Delaware Susceptible to Drought?

Increasing population (known as sprawl)

Limited water supply

Drought- August 2, 2002United Water Delaware

began tapping Hoopes Reservoir to protect its own dwindling supplies.

Hoopes Reservoir is the state’s only large reservoir-- 1.8 billion gallons

The News Journal, August 2, 2002, pg.1

Drought- August 2, 2002Low freshwater supplies in White Clay Creek

allowed salty water to surge inland from the Delaware River.

Salt levels reached 236 ppm at United Water’s intake, prompting United to seek water from Hoopes Reservoir.

250 ppm is the level detectable by most consumers and used as Delaware’s drinking water limit.

The News Journal, August 2, 2002, pg.A8

Drought- August 2, 2002The News Journal, Friday, August 2, 2002

Drought- August 2, 2002

Rainfall levels at New Castle County airport were 15 inches, or 33% short of normal over the past 13 months.

Similar conditions were in southern Delaware, which is almost totally dependent on groundwater. However, well levels remained adequate, but farms suffered.


Drought- August 2, 2002Consumption surged to above-average levels

in northern Delaware despite a March 5th call for a 10% reduction.

Mature neighborhoods were conservingNew neighborhoods were watering newly

planted grass


Drought- August 2, 2002City of Wilmington still taking water from

depleted Brandywine Creek-- which is now 1/5 its long-term average depth.

City of Wilmington has rights to all water in the Brandywine.

City is allowed to draw creek water until muddiness or contamination forces use of Hoopes Reservoir.



Artesian Water Co. says groundwater supplies are more than adequate to meet customer needs.

Artesian is Delaware’s largest private water supplier.



Water Emergency Declared for DE!Mandatory water restrictions on areas

north of the canal.Drought warning for areas south of the

canal.


Drought- August 3, 2002Reasons cited for drought:

unprecedented dry spell- below normal rainfall since 1997

low creek levels- at or near all-time record lows grim forecasts- expect drought to continue or

deepen over next few weeks increased water use- rose to 80 mgd from the

normal 75 mgd The News Journal, August 3, 2002

Drought- August 3, 2002“City of Wilmington reports that flows in

Brandywine Creek remain sufficient to meet city needs despite record low levels in July.

During a drought, however, treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants makes up an increasing percentage of the Brandywine’s flow.”


Drought- August 3, 2002Hoopes Reservoir

Owned by city of Wilmington Capable of meeting the needs of both Wilmington

and United Water for about 40 days. Combined with continued pumping from depleted

streams, the reservoir could cover water demands for much of northern DE for significantly longer.

The News Journal, August 3, 2002


City of Newark has started construction on a new reservoir. (It has now been completed.)

Reservoir could meet all of Newark’s drought requirements for more than 3 months.



All Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania counties adjacent to Delaware have been operating under drought emergency restrictions for months.


Drought- August 6, 2002“We have this background situation, where we

have urbanization and more demands on water and more pavement and rooftops, so less water gets into the ground.”

“The watersheds are getting flashier: rain goes through more quickly and the streams go down faster. It’s been more severe recently because of the high temperatures.”

Gerald Kauffman, Delaware’s water supply coordinator and a U of D water specialist

The News Journal, August 6, 2002, pg A5

Drought- August 6, 2002Heat sink effect- slow expansion of hot zones

around cities. Pavements and buildings soak up and reflect heat, changing the natural climate and affecting weather across a wide area.

Wilmington is one of these heat islands!

James Eberwine, meterologist in the National Weather Service center in Mount Holly, NJ

The News Journal, August 6, 2002, pg A5

Drought- August 8, 2002United Water Delaware requests emergency rights to

all remaining fresh water in White Clay Creek near Stanton.

Currently the company is required to leave millions of gallons of water in the creek on outgoing tides to protect aquatic life and ecosystems.

Salt levels reached 268 ppm at Stanton briefly on 8/5/2002- 250 ppm is the amount detectable by consumers.

City of Wilmington increased water releases from Hoopes Reservoir to temporarily solve the problem.


Drought- August 9, 2002Water use rises : Consumption of water

reached 74 mg on 8/6/02- higher than the 70 mg desired by state water planners.

Hot line established- for free drought info, conservation tips and for those seeking to report water restriction violators.

United Water Delaware approved for White Clay Creek water use, due to rising salt levels.



Lowest level of stream flows on record. Here is an almost dry creek bed.

Drought- August 15-20, 2002

On Aug. 15th, Wilmington began drawing water from Hoopes Reservoir to supplement water taken from the Brandywine Creek.

By Aug. 19th, Hoopes Reservoir was down 5 feet 3 inches from its “full” level.



DE rainfall over last 13 months is 20 inches below normal.

At the same time, DE had it second hottest Jan-June period since 1895!


Scattered thunderstorms dropped only 1/100th of an inch of rain in Wilmington- but more in areas of nearby PA

Flows in White Clay and Red Clay Creeks rose for a short period.

Brandywine- August 21, 2002

Hoopes Reservoir- August 21, 2002

Red Clay at Yorklyn- August 21, 2002


Wilmington uses Hoopes Reservoir to supplement its water supply.

Questions arise about the use of publicly owned Hoopes Reservoir to supply privately owned United Water for water during the drought.

Editorials ask why United doesn’t spend its own money to secure water during drought times.


Wilmington City Mayor Jim Baker suggests city investigate desalination plants on DE River for use during droughts.

Artesian comes under fire for pumping water from wells in nearby Pennsylvania for DE customers- PA residents afraid Artesian will cause their wells to go dry.

Drought- August 29, 2002DE River Basin Commission board members voted

unanimously at a meeting in Trenton to extend an emergency order giving United Water permission to ignore rules that require the company to keep millions of gallons of water in the White Clay creek to protect aquatic life and ecosystems-- United can continue to use all of the remaining fresh water in White Clay Creek near Stanton.

The News Journal, August 29, 2002, pg.B1


Lawyer representing DE Sierra Club says allowing united Water to use all the remaining fresh water could violate state and federal regulations that protect the creek and the habitat around it.

The commission can revoke United’s permission if there is a danger of violating any state or federal environmental rules-- says Kevin Donnelly of DNREC, a commission member.


Drought- August 29, 2002“More than 1/3 of nation is in the most severe

stages of dryness, well above normal. Hardest hit are the Mid-Atlantic from DE to GA, a handful of Plains states and the Southwest, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.”

“Suburban sprawl has exacerbated water shortages in what is already one of the worst droughts to hit the US since the 1930’s Dust Bowl era.” (Natural Resources Defense Council, American Rivers, and Smart Growth America- environmental organizations)


Drought- August 29, 2002“Sprawl completely alters that natural flow of

water... Instead of soaking into the ground, water is swept into gutters and storm drains, where it rushes into rivers. A one-acre parking lot, for example, produces 16 times more runoff than an undeveloped one acre meadow.”

Sprawl also means more customers- taking showers, and watering lawns.



Phila. Metropolitan area (including northern DE and parts of south Jersey) loses between 25.3-59 billion gallons or groundwater infiltration every year due to sprawl.

Christina River watershed’s impervious surface increased from 9% in 1975 to 16% in 1997 due to sprawl.


So...Who Manages the Christina Basin and our drinking water?The Christina Basin Water Resources

Management Committee is made up of representatives of Delaware and Pennsylvania, including federal agencies, Pennsylvania DEP, DE DNREC, Chester County and New Castle County governments, and local watershed and non-profit environmental organizations.

What Is Being Done Locally to Protect Our Drinking Water?Implementation of a Water Restoration

Action Strategy to address water quality problems

Development of a new reservoir for the City of Newark- to address water supply problems

What Else Needs to Be Done?Plant forests and buffers to filter and cleanse

stormwaterAcquire and conserve open landLimit impervious cover from new development Increase financial incentive for landowners to

participate in existing federally funded agricultural conservation programs

Accelerate superfund and hazardous waste cleanup programs

Minimize wastewater and combined sewer overflow discharges

What is Being Done Nationally to Protect Our Drinking Water?

Congress passed the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972

As amended in 1977, this law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act.

Subsequent enactments modified some of the earlier Clean Water Act provisions.

Clean Water Act (1972)“Required that by 1985 all the water bodies in

the nation be fishable and swimmable and that all discharges of pollutants be eliminated.

During the transition period, EPA could issue permits for small amounts of pollutants, according to established guidelines and only following a period of public comment and hearings.”

Cronin, John and Kennedy, Robert F. Jr.; the riverkeepers; p.153

Clean Water Act (1972)Enforcement of the Clean Water Act has

been sporadic, and, at times, non-existent.

Industries, Industrial lobbyists, PR firms that work for industries, and anti-environmental groups wield great political power-- locally as well as nationally- so violators are often ignored or given small fines.

Clean Water Act (1972)- Delaware 30 years later:

“ In Delaware, officials are working to curb pollution from failing septic systems and are requiring Rehoboth Beach to remove sewage treatment plant nutrient pollution it has long pumped into Rehoboth Bay or offset the pollution by reducing pollution elsewhere.

“The state also began requiring farms and businesses to prepare plans to limit or prevent pollution from fertilizer use and animal wastes.”



The News Journal, 8/9/ 2002: Wilmington’s sewer system routinely dumps raw sewage during rains into the Christina & Brandywine Rivers, Shellpot Creek, Little Mill and Silverbrook. New holding tanks are designed to capture 60 million of the 76 million gallons that overflow from 2 of the 38 pipes each year! Not all of it!


Sign along Brandywine River at Monkey Hill

So….What can

YOU do to help protect our water and our waterways?

Help Save Our Water and Waterways

Adopt a streamPlant a treeFind out about water in your area and

write your local representatives about polluters.

Join environmental groups: Delaware Nature Center Sierra Club Greenpeace Delaware Riverkeeper

In the Final Analysis:

Droughts will continue in the future…..Populations will continue to increase….

Delaware needs to address its water quality and water supply problems to ensure there is enough drinking water for our future.

Sources Cronin, John and Kennedy, Robert F. Jr.; the riverkeepers; Simon and

Shuster, 1997 “Phase I & II Report, Christina River Basin Water Quality Management

Strategy”, May 1998; Prepared by Water Resources Agency for New Castle County, Chester County Conservation District, Chester County Water Resources Authority.

“Phase III Report, Christina Basin Water Quality Management Strategy”, August 5, 1999; Ed. Gerald Kauffman, Institute for Public Administration, Water Resources Agency, U of D, Newark, DE.

“Proceedings of Drinking Water 2001: The Issues Concerning Delaware’s Most Precious Natural Resource”; A Delaware Public Policy Forum held October 11, 2001 at the U of D.

The News Journal, Wilmington, DE, August, 2002

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