Thanks to all that joined or watched the Poolesville public hearing on the water supply. The full recording of the hearing is below, Pat Hammond's slides shared at the meeting are here.
Comments on the Town's hydrogeologist's presentation here.
Of note from the comments (emphasis added) :
Climate Change Denial:
" The Town Hydrogeologist denied the effects of climate change, indicating that they are so uncertain that they should not be considered in evaluating the Poolesville system yield, without any supporting documentation. The vast majority of climate scientists have demonstrated that climate change is real. The present authority in Maryland is the Instate commission on the Upper Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), who indicate that baseflow (effective recharge to Poolesville’s wells) will decrease an overall annual average of 15%, and by 3% to 33% in 16 out of 18 scenarios in their 2010 report on climate change in the upper Potomac River Basin. Mr. Hammond used 7 specific scenarios that produced a less conservative value of an annual average reduction in baseflow of 8.4%, and derived a drought year reduction of 16% in baseflow."
Underestimating high heat index days:
"The Town Hydrogeologist indicated that the assumption of 30 days of 100° F (taken from her 2021 report), to account for climate change was too conservative. They then stated that they knew of a reference that the maximum would be 5 days. The reference was not provided; however, a quick review of the literature indicated that 5 days would reflect historical data for Washington D.C., though the maximum was 11 days in 1931. Dahl et al. (2019), indicated the maximum number of days with a 100° F heat index is more than 50 under climate change through the year 2050."
Not taking stream impairment seriously:
"The Town Hydrogeologist used a groundwater flow model to explain why the MDE water balance methods should allow for allocations of water in Horsepenn Branch flowing from other watersheds, without mentioning that the watershed is already severely impaired."
A town resident put it well in his questions after the presentation - if there is disagreement in the science and the Town's models say everything is fine and Mr. Hammond's models say we need to act quickly to avert serious issues- residents trust their leaders to take the prudent and conservative path that ensures resources remain abundant in the future. That path requires action.
For residents on wells - our recent webinar on well care is a great place to start learning about the aquifer and how to steward your own well for the future.
Comments on the Town's hydrogeologist's presentation here.
Of note from the comments (emphasis added) :
Climate Change Denial:
" The Town Hydrogeologist denied the effects of climate change, indicating that they are so uncertain that they should not be considered in evaluating the Poolesville system yield, without any supporting documentation. The vast majority of climate scientists have demonstrated that climate change is real. The present authority in Maryland is the Instate commission on the Upper Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), who indicate that baseflow (effective recharge to Poolesville’s wells) will decrease an overall annual average of 15%, and by 3% to 33% in 16 out of 18 scenarios in their 2010 report on climate change in the upper Potomac River Basin. Mr. Hammond used 7 specific scenarios that produced a less conservative value of an annual average reduction in baseflow of 8.4%, and derived a drought year reduction of 16% in baseflow."
Underestimating high heat index days:
"The Town Hydrogeologist indicated that the assumption of 30 days of 100° F (taken from her 2021 report), to account for climate change was too conservative. They then stated that they knew of a reference that the maximum would be 5 days. The reference was not provided; however, a quick review of the literature indicated that 5 days would reflect historical data for Washington D.C., though the maximum was 11 days in 1931. Dahl et al. (2019), indicated the maximum number of days with a 100° F heat index is more than 50 under climate change through the year 2050."
Not taking stream impairment seriously:
"The Town Hydrogeologist used a groundwater flow model to explain why the MDE water balance methods should allow for allocations of water in Horsepenn Branch flowing from other watersheds, without mentioning that the watershed is already severely impaired."
A town resident put it well in his questions after the presentation - if there is disagreement in the science and the Town's models say everything is fine and Mr. Hammond's models say we need to act quickly to avert serious issues- residents trust their leaders to take the prudent and conservative path that ensures resources remain abundant in the future. That path requires action.
For residents on wells - our recent webinar on well care is a great place to start learning about the aquifer and how to steward your own well for the future.
Please plan to join your neighbors at an important informational meeting on the future of the Poolesville Sole Source Aquifer, the only viable water source for the town.
Poolesville Town Hall
April 21, 7pm
From the Town site:
The Commissioners of Poolesville will be holding an informational hearing to discuss water capacity.
Hydrologists Kathy Mihm and Pat Hammond along with Montgomery County Alliance’s Executor (sic) Director Caroline Taylor will present and discuss recent water capacity studies.
The studies, derived from historical pump data, aquifer models and specific scientific calculations, will be discussed along with solutions for ensuring an adequate water supply for the future.
The informational hearing will be held on April 21, 2025, 7:00pm, at Townhall. It will also be available on YouTube, both live stream and archived for later viewing.
YouTube Channel
Poolesville Town Hall
April 21, 7pm
From the Town site:
The Commissioners of Poolesville will be holding an informational hearing to discuss water capacity.
Hydrologists Kathy Mihm and Pat Hammond along with Montgomery County Alliance’s Executor (sic) Director Caroline Taylor will present and discuss recent water capacity studies.
The studies, derived from historical pump data, aquifer models and specific scientific calculations, will be discussed along with solutions for ensuring an adequate water supply for the future.
The informational hearing will be held on April 21, 2025, 7:00pm, at Townhall. It will also be available on YouTube, both live stream and archived for later viewing.
YouTube Channel
The background - in 2023 MCA funded a study into the future yields of the town's water supply undertaken by seasoned state hydrogeologist Pat Hammond. The results of this study show that current overallocation of water to the town have had an impact on sensitive Horse Penn Branch. Looking ahead, droughts are forecasted to be more frequent and more severe. Seasonal conservation measures will keep the currently sized town population within allocated water limits but new development in the town will necessitate increased conservation measures throughout the year and may cause some wells to dry up.
The study results have informed MCA's Good Gift Groundwater Project seeking to raise awareness about the aquifers under our feet. Recently, the project hosted a webinar all about well care to educate homeowners.
The study results have informed MCA's Good Gift Groundwater Project seeking to raise awareness about the aquifers under our feet. Recently, the project hosted a webinar all about well care to educate homeowners.
