Chesapeake Environmental Protection Association

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CEPA Public Forum on Groundwater

NEW: Click to download the complete presentation, "Protecting Maryland's Water Supply" by the keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Summers (PDF)

On Friday, February 29th, the CHESAPEAKE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (CEPA) held a forum on Ground Water at the South River High School Auditorium in Edgewater. The forum was moderated by CEPA Trustee Rich Romer, and the keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Summers, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Dr Summers started by explaining the differences in the hydrology and water usage in different parts of the state. Western Maryland has mostly fractured rock aquifers, and, due to the relatively low population density, the water is predominately used for thermoelectric and industrial purposes. Thermoelectric refers to cooling water for coal, oil, and nuclear power plants. The limited amount of water in fractured rock is running out. In Central Maryland, which includes Baltimore and north and west of Baltimore, the water is used mostly for public supply and thermoelectric purposes. Southern Maryland gets most of its water from several aquifers, and uses it primarily for public supply and domestic use. The water levels in the aquifers have been declining significantly over the last 30 years or more. And the recharge zones in the northern and western parts of the area are being paved over. On the Eastern Shore, water is used primarily for irrigation.

The Governors Bob Ehrlich and then Martin O’Malley appointed the Water Resources Advisory Committee on which Dr. Summers serves. The Committee has studied demands for water and made a number of recommendations for management of our water supply. In 2004, it issued its first report, recommending a comprehensive evaluation of existing aquifer and watershed water supplies. This involves adding stream gauges, observation wells, and other monitoring mechanisms to what already exists. For example, the number of observation wells should be increased from 141 to 240. Such a study has already been initiated in Southern Maryland, but has been hampered by lack of funding.

An interim report issued by the Advisory Committee in 2006 recommended conservation measures, wastewater recycling technologies, and studied desalination and water storage methods (reservoirs). These measures will be necessary with the population of Maryland expected to increase by more than one million (to 6.3 million) in the next 25 years.

In 2007, a bill passed the General Assembly (House Bill 1141) which requires that water resources be an element in the comprehensive development plans of local governments, i.e. Counties and municipalities. Along with other committee recommendations, this would cost an average of $7 million per year for the next 7 years. That funding is not in place at this time, and the Advisory Committee is trying to identify possible funding sources.

During the Question and Answer period, Mike Shay used the example of a particular golf course in Anne Arundel County which uses great amounts of water, and he asked Dr. Summers why that sort of thing is not controlled by water appropriation permits. Dr. Summers would like to see that sort of water usage controlled, but stated that there is public resistance to controlling something that historically was free for everybody.

Dr. M. Gordon Wolman, Professor of Environmental Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and Chairman of the Water Resources Advisory Committee, was the next speaker. He said that it is no longer possible for everybody to use the aquifers and tributaries without restrictions. He feels that the recommendations of the Advisory Committee are necessary for managing the water supply, but says that the two reports they have issued so far were met with “a deafening silence from the political world.”

Dr. Wolman feels that the legislation currently being considered, and the present state of mind in the Maryland General Assembly is such that no significant progress will be made this year. He feels that the major hurdle is to educate and persuade the legislature that the Advisory Committee’s recommendations must be put into effect. That would include the funding necessary to establish a structure for fees and permits and for ensuring that water resources are considered in local comprehensive plans.

One issue that apparently remains to be settled is the amount of water that can be withdrawn from our rivers without adversely affecting the environment or other uses such as fishing, boating, and swimming. A compromise will probably be necessary.

Robert Shedlock, Associate District Chief & Supervisory Hydrologist, US Geological Survey went into greater detail on the types and characteristics of aquifers in different parts of Maryland. He spoke about USGS efforts to establish an Aquifer Information System, which would map the depths, thicknesses, etc. of all our aquifers, and model the soils with respect to, among other things, how easily water passes through them. The results should allow a determination of where wells can be dug, how deep, and how much water can be withdrawn without detriment. At present, the process is largely trial and error. With this data on hand, the permitting process could be controlled and managed. The system is being developed, but, again, adequate funding has been lacking. Shedlock stated that the earliest a working aquifer model could be available was 2013.

The speakers and several audience members mentioned the severe droughts in our region in 2002 and again in 2007 which resulted in water restrictions and/or development limitations in several Maryland locations. In addition to much better water allocation, several new water "sources" could be utilized:

• Enhanced conservation
• Expanded wastewater use
• Possible desalination
• Additional storage facilities

All agreed that water use based on the assumption of continued plentiful supply can no longer continue in much of our area.

CEPA Member Serves as West/Rhode Riverkeeper

This page was last updated 5/28/08.