Katie Atkinson
MCA and PEER seek release of MDE report detailing coming Climate Impacts on State and Local Water Supply
The drought that began this summer is still ongoing as winter sets in. Unfortunately, this drought is not a fluke event but a new trend. The scientific modeling is clear - we are in for more frequent and severe drought events. The ICPRB that monitors the Potomac said we can expect stream flows to be reduced by 35% by 2040.
As for groundwater - the picture is also dire - but gathering data about wells is more difficult than surface water monitoring. This lack of data hinders land use planning - like the updates to the master plan in the Town of Poolesville where several large developments have been proposed for the area entirely served by town wells and septic.
These wells rely on the federally designated Sole Source Aquifer - water deep underground underlying much of the Western county that is also impacted by droughts.
We understand the Maryland Department of Environment has completed a report that details with more certainty what climate impacts will be on local water resources. This report would offer crucial insight to Poolesville and other areas considering how to plan future land use to steward dwindling water supplies responsibly. So far communications to MDE asking for this report have not yielded results.
Our partners at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) have filed a Public Information Request to access this report and make it available to guide efforts toward resilient water systems. Stay Tuned.
As for groundwater - the picture is also dire - but gathering data about wells is more difficult than surface water monitoring. This lack of data hinders land use planning - like the updates to the master plan in the Town of Poolesville where several large developments have been proposed for the area entirely served by town wells and septic.
These wells rely on the federally designated Sole Source Aquifer - water deep underground underlying much of the Western county that is also impacted by droughts.
We understand the Maryland Department of Environment has completed a report that details with more certainty what climate impacts will be on local water resources. This report would offer crucial insight to Poolesville and other areas considering how to plan future land use to steward dwindling water supplies responsibly. So far communications to MDE asking for this report have not yielded results.
Our partners at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) have filed a Public Information Request to access this report and make it available to guide efforts toward resilient water systems. Stay Tuned.
