SRBC convenes drought committee

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) this week convened its interagency Drought Coordinating Committee to assess water resource conditions throughout the Susquehanna basin.  Recent heavy rain events did provide some needed relief for stressed streams and some groundwater resources in the Susquehanna basin.  The improved conditions, however, will be temporary and short-lived if precipitation amounts do not return to normal. 
 
“With much of the long, hot summer still ahead of us, the Commission is not about to let down its guard after only a few rain events,” said SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz.  “We will continue to monitor water resource conditions daily.  Drought-like conditions take a long time to develop, and the summer months are generally not the time of the year when we can expect or count on improving conditions.” 
 
SRBC’s Drought Coordinating Committee assesses five main parameters to determine emerging drought conditions: precipitation deficits, stream flows, groundwater levels, soil moisture and water-supply reservoir levels.  Currently, precipitation deficits remain most notable in portions of central Pennsylvania, including Snyder and Northumberland Counties where deficits are about 5 inches below normal for the past 90 days. 
 
The interagency drought committee is coordinated by SRBC and includes representatives of water management agencies from the federal government and the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York.  Committee members exchange technical information, assess current hydrologic conditions throughout the Susquehanna basin and offer management recommendations as appropriate.
 
Currently, there are no drought declarations in effect in the Susquehanna basin.  The Drought Coordinating Committee plans to reconvene in mid-August.
 
Swartz said, “SRBC is well aware that many citizens are particularly concerned about this summer’s emerging drought conditions because of water usage by the natural gas industry for hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus shale region.  The Commission has existing, protective provisions in place, known as pass-by flow requirements, for such times when stream flows are impacted.”   
 
During times of low flows, natural gas drillers and other projects regulated by SRBC must cease water withdrawals if they are subject to SRBC’s pass-by flow provision. 
 
At any water withdrawal point approved by SRBC, a certain pre-determined amount of water must flow by that withdrawal point to protect aquatic habitat and downstream water users.  That pre-determined level is commonly known as the critical low flow, which is measured by stream gages installed and maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey.  When project sponsors apply to SRBC to withdraw water, SRBC determines if that requested amount will or will not impact the stream at the withdrawal point when the stream drops to the critical low flow levels. 
 
“The Commission’s pass-by flow restriction is a proven measure for protecting streams.  But given the increasing demand for water from smaller waterways and potential for impacts to them, the Commission currently is assessing if additional measures might be needed.”
 
If precipitation amounts do not return to normal, water challenges could emerge as the summer progresses.  Impacts during drought can stress water supplies for domestic water uses, agriculture and other water-dependent businesses, aquatic habitat, recreation and other activities. 
 
SRBC encourages basin residents and businesses to continually conserve water.  Water conservation tips for residential water users include:
 

• Repairing leaking toilets (a leaking toilet can lose up to 200 gallons per day);
• Repairing leaking and dripping facets (a leaking facet can lose up to 11 gallons per day);
• Installing new shower heads and sink faucets equipped with water saving devices, such as aerators or spray taps;
• Installing water saving appliances and devices, such as low-consumption toilets;
• Taking short showers instead of baths;
• Using dishwashers and washing machines only when filled to capacity;
• Not letting the water run continuously while shaving, brushing teeth or washing dishes by hand;
• Refrigerating tap water to avoid running the faucet waiting for the water to get cold;
• Sweeping sidewalks and driveways, not hosing them down;
• Washing vehicles at car wash establishments that recycle water;
• Refraining from watering established lawns (grasses usually go dormant, not die, during dry conditions); and
• Selecting more drought-tolerant vegetation and plant species for landscaping and using mulch to retain soil moisture.

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