Increase of municipality use of water issues as development and
infrastructure limitation – need comprehensive centralized water management
system within Commonwealth
Current law is outdated, need to update
Build data collection and management system for water quality, water
quantity to build solid baseline
Current Condition of water systems -- need to update infrastructure needs
Decrease unaccounted water and increase importance of conservation of
water as a resource
More funding and technical assistance to small water systems
Protect ground water resources by enacting legislation to set minimum
standards for drilling of residence water wells and well drillers
Protect agricultural use of water
Need for public education on conservation methods, and essential and
non-essential water uses
Overlapping management and authority of different levels of government and
entities
Increased releases from water impoundments during time of drought
More specific authorization for planning at the county and local level
Increased funding for planning at the county and local level
Increase consideration of geology at the local level when reviewing water
allocations (SRBC)
Comprehensive education to homeowner, elected officials, others
Better database on water quality on various streams at regular times and
during times of drought
Decrease permitting for "Water Hog" Industries (large
withdrawers)
Better enforcement on industries now destroying existing aquifers (ex.
Longwall mining)
Need comprehensive inventory of water resources for state water plan
Continue trend for management on a watershed basis (sub-watershed level)
More holistic approach that ties into the basin (see previous point).
Water quality and nonpoint source issues including air deposition
More effective storm water management
Strongly encourage increased conservation for industries by affecting them
financially
Better handle on current sewage discharges
Scientific data on effects of thermal pollution
Need for water budgeting statewide and at local levels
Insure protection of natural water areas such as wetlands and riparian
buffer zones
Increased requirements for cross connections and anti-siphoning devices
DEP needs to update the state water plan and coordinate it with existing
data and plans
Elevation of water management within DEP to obtain proper funding and
resources for increased and more effective management
Make water quality a mandatory component of storm water management planning
Increased federal funding to assist the states in implementing water
management programs
Stream bed management impacted by storm water runoff, especially gravel
restricting channel flow
Provide funding for increasing and maintaining water system infrastructure
Livestock agriculture can and should only be regulated to an extent
economically feasible
Tools Needed:
Establish historic record of water quantity and losses over 50 year period
Agricultural priority in state water plan but not at the expense of
drinking water supplies
Regional approach to water management, rather than local
Increase use of water ponds and retention basin for storage of waters for
use in time of drought
Streamline permitting process for creation of water ponds and storage
basins
Training for candidates for elected officials on water resource issues
Re-channel storm water to recharge ground water
Manage at a watershed level, at a minimum (concerns over fragmented
management of water approaches and outcomes at the municipal level)
Better drought response mechanisms
Statewide wellhead protection standards for municipal wellheads
Legislation for residential well construction standards
State needs to show more leadership for Special Protection Program
Expand our landowner incentive programs to encourage water conservation
Incentive for construction of containment ponds
Acquisition of waterways by the state to preserve existing water and water
dependent resources and prevent development of the water resource
Decentralization and managed onsite waste treatment programs
Need water use planning at the municipal level
More comprehensive annual water supply report to be submitted to the state
by municipalities
Develop regulations for recycling wastewater
Special consideration on grants and loans for individuals, agricultural
operations and organizations that are testing innovative technologies such as
water conservation
Statewide land use plan primarily based on availability of water and
population served
Need effective legislation to restrict use of water by power plants (need
it NOW!!)
Maximize use of existing laws and programs with funding by legislature
Workable and realistic implementation of all water use practices and need
for oversight mechanism
Go to alternative power sources with tax incentives to accomplish and
reduce need for power plants and their use of water
Implement proposed drought management regulations
Look to other states (in particular western states) for ideas for water
management
Look to other states for management of ground water resources
Prioritization of water needs for crop production and the food processing
industry
Mandate groundwater recharge systems as part of new construction of
impervious surfaces such as roof and pavements (BMPs)
Evaluate statewide building code to see if it has conservation measures
such as low flow devices
Prioritization during droughts should be on human needs and other species
needs
One agency to help small municipalities receive funding for storm water
management and small flood control projects
DEP needs to look at the use and re-use of gray water not only in times of
drought
Continuation of Growing Greener Program
Need a broad, big picture approach to sewage program modeled after highway
system (interconnected program across municipal lines if economically
feasible)