Susquehanna River Basin Commission Advises Water Withdrawal Permit Holders To Review Low Flow Water Restrictions And Begin Planning For Alternative Operations

During the week of June 12, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission notified water users with withdrawal permits, including those providing water to unconventional shale gas operations, to review provisions in their permits limiting water withdrawals during low streamflow conditions.

"Please review your project’s approval(s) to make sure you are aware how sustained dry conditions may impact your operational requirements and mitigation plan (if applicable). 

"If your project is subject to water withdrawal limitations, we strongly encourage you to begin investigating or planning for alternative operation options. 

"In some limited circumstances, deviations from conditions dictated in your approval may be allowable under an emergency certificate, provided the situation meets rigorous criteria.

"Currently, low flow conditions are being observed throughout most of the basin. See the following link for details.”

“The Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s Water Application and Approval Viewer (WAAV) and Hydrologic Conditions Monitor (HCM) may be helpful tools in assessing low flow conditions and associated operational requirements. 

“The WAAV provides access to water use projects regulated by the Commission. The HCM shows the status of water use projects regulated by the Commission that have passby flow or consumptive use mitigation requirements.”

As of June 14, water withdrawals for 30 unconventional shale gas operations and one other water withdrawal are on passby restrictions, according to SRBC’s Hydrologic Conditions Monitor.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

(Map: Red is bad.)

NewsClips:

-- StateImpactPA: Drought Conditions In PA Expected To Last Several Months

-- TribLive: Water Conservation Urged As State Declares Drought Watch

-- MCall: PA Issues Statewide Drought Watch, Urges Voluntary Water Conservation

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: PA Declares Statewide Drought Watch, Asks For Voluntary Water Conservation

-- WITF - Rachel McDevitt: Pennsylvanians Asked To Cut Water Use As State Enters Drought Watch

-- Marcellus Drilling News: Ohio Northern University Research Reveals Streamflow Impacts From Shale Gas Fracking Water Withdrawals That Could Be Altering Ecosystems 

Related Article:

-- Susquehanna River Basin Low Stream Flows Trigger SRBC Water Withdrawal Restrictions On 49 Oil & Gas Drilling Operations & Other Water Users   [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- DEP Declares Statewide Drought Watch, Recommends Voluntary Water Conservation  [PaEN]

-- DEP Finds PA General Energy Installed Its Shawnee Water Withdrawal On The Exceptional Value Loyalsock Creek At Sizes Larger Than Authorized By Its SRBC, DEP Permits  [PaEN]

[Posted: June 14, 2023]  PA Environment Digest