Executive Summary
Water Resources Planning Act

       Water is critical to our economy and to the health of our natural systems, yet we don’t know enough about how much water we have, how it’s being used and what the demand for water will be in the future.  The state’s current water plan is more than 25 years old and doesn’t tell us what areas of the state have critical water needs.

       At the same time our water resources are being stressed.  In five of the last seven years Pennsylvania has been in drought emergency conditions.  Since 1900 our residential use of water has increased from five to 62 gallons a day per person and our total water use has climbed to 10 billion gallons a day.  Areas of the state are experiencing an increasing number of conflicts over the same source of water.

       Pennsylvania has never had a water resources planning program that involves all stakeholders engaged in an effort to answer basic questions such as how much water we have, how much water we use, and how much water we need.

       Major components of this legislation are:

Requirement to Update the State Water Plan Within 5 Years:

• The Act directs DEP to complete an update of the State Water Plan in five years and have updates every five years thereafter.
• A new Statewide Water Resources Committee would be formed to establish the guidelines and policies that will guide the planning process.  The Statewide Committee will also have a formal review and approval role of the updated State Water Plan.
• The act also creates six regional water resources committees to represent Pennsylvania’s geographic diversity and facilitate the development of the regional components of the State water plan and critical area resource plans.
• Memberships on the Statewide and regional committees include a broad representation of business and industry, agriculture, local government, and environmental interests.
• Through an open public process, in consultation with the Statewide Committee and DEP, regional committees will recommend the regional plan components to the Statewide Committee for incorporation into the State Water Plan.
• The Statewide Committee will guide the development of, approve, and recommend to the Secretary of DEP, approval and adoption of the State Water Plan. 

Requirement to Register and Report Certain Water Withdrawals:

• The Act requires users of 10,000 gallons a day or more to register and then periodically report their water use to DEP.   
• There will be no fees associated with registering and reporting. 
• DEP will work with the existing river basin commissions to share information and avoid duplicate reporting.
• Regulations will be adopted by the Environmental Quality Board that will provide for the use of alternative methods to metering by water users with withdrawals between 10,000 and 50,000 gallons.
• The Act expressly prohibits any requirement of metering of homeowner wells.

Identification of Critical Water Planning Areas:

• It is expected that during the updating of the State Water Plan, areas will be identified where the demand for water exceeds, or is projected to exceed, available supplies. 
• These areas would be designated as Critical Water Planning Areas and identified on a multi-municipal watershed basis.
• Once established, Critical Water Planning Areas would serve as the planning boundary for the creation of a more detailed Critical Area Resource Plan or "water budget" for that area. 
• Regional Committees, in consultation with Critical Area Advisory Committees, representing the broad interest of the identified area, will guide the development of Critical Area Resource Plans through an open process.
• Critical Area Resource plans will be submitted for review and comment for consistency to the Official Planning Agency and governing body of each municipality in the identified area prior to final recommendation.
• Once reviewed, the Regional Committees will recommend to the Statewide Committee and the Secretary of DEP, the Critical Area Resource Plan.

Creation of Critical Area Resource Plans:

• Critical Area Resource Plans will be developed under the guidance of the regional committees in conjunction with a watershed advisory committee.
• The plans will include a water availability evaluation. 
• The plans will assess water quality and water quantity issues.
• The plans will identify existing and potential adverse impacts on water resources uses.

Establishment of a Voluntary Water Conservation Program:

• The act establishes a formal program to promote voluntary water conservation and water use efficiency practices for all water users.
• A Water Resources Technical Assistance Center would also be created to promote the use and development of water conservation and water use efficiency education, and technical assistance programs.
• Grants are authorized for water resources education and technical assistance.