1	Charles County Groundwater Resource Update Charles County Commissioners Presentation December 6, 2005
2	Groundwater Overview County is presently solely served by groundwater Three (3) Major Aquifers are used by the public water system: Magothy Patapsco Patuxent Approximately 65% of the population in the County are on Public Water County has gone to deeper aquifers to avoid impacting private wells
3	Aquifers of Charles County
4	Inter-Agency Coordination Federal Agencies Numerous studies Legislation & Policies State Agencies Groundwater Appropriation Permits Water and Sewer Plan Review and Approvals Well Monitoring Program & Monthly Reports Aquifer Studies
5	A Brief History Over 13 Studies have been performed by Federal, State, & Local Agencies over the last 25 years to determine best use of this resource, asses it’s limitations, and institute proper management. County has worked with the following agencies in an effort to properly manage groundwater resources: Federal Agencies U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Environmental Protection Agency NSWC – Indian Head (data collection) State Agencies Maryland Department of the Environment Maryland Department of Natural Resources Maryland Geological Survey Local Agencies Charles County Health Department Town of Indian Head & Town of La Plata (data collection) Since the 1990’s, the County has funded and maintained a monitoring well program through MGS to observe the fluctuations in groundwater levels.
6	A Brief History (Continued) County has fully or partially funded State studies to address areas of concern since the 1980’s. County and State introduced water conservation measures in mid 1980’s. New construction fixture requirements Retro-fit programs for County citizens Public education program to promote water conservation County recently funded two (2) MGS Groundwater Optimization Studies to determine best management practices and future well locations.
7	Groundwater Studies “Magothy Aquifer Management Strategy” Completed in the early 1980’s Reviewed withdrawal data in Magothy Aquifer Goal was to reduce impacts of drawdown Recommended a shift to Patapsco Aquifer Implementation: Shifted 50% of pumpage to Patapsco Aquifer through new wells
8	Groundwater Studies “Charles County Water Supply Resources, Development & Management Plan” Completed in 1984, by DNR-WRA & Charles Co. DPW Evaluated options to balance groundwater withdrawals with development trends to 2020 Recommended monitoring well network be expanded into the Lower Patapsco Aquifer (observe regional affects) Recommended an interconnection with WSSC Waterline Develop Residential Subdivision Water Conservation Program Implementation: Added several monitoring wells into the Lower Patapsco; Entered into an agreement with WSSC for interconnection; WSSC Beale Hill Road Booster Station was constructed; Expanded Water Conservation Program
9	Groundwater Studies “Ground-water use in the Coastal Plain of Charles County, Maryland” Completed in 1989 by MGS & DNR-WRA Reviewed increases in water withdrawals within Charles County (per aquifer) from 1950 to 1980 Reviewed changes in withdrawals by user type (domestic, commercial/industrial, military, & by water supplier) over this time period No Recommendations, Review Only Implementation: N/A
10	Groundwater Studies “Study of the Bryans Road Water System” Completed in 1989, by Charles County DPW Reviewed problem solving alternatives for the County-acquired (1987-88) Bryans Road Water System (formerly Charles Utilities – private operator) Recommended exploring the Patuxent Formation for future water supply in Bryans Road Recommended several infrastructure improvements to eliminate water loss through line and tank leaks Implementation: Constructed new Patuxent well and water tower Created several water line loops Required developers to make various improvements and line extensions
11	Groundwater Studies “Waldorf Coastal Plain Aquifer Study” Completed in 1990 by MGS, with the Charles County Commissioners & USGS Evaluated groundwater hydrology of the Waldorf area and determined the production potential Simulated water levels in the Waldorf area based on modeled scenarios out to 2020 while staying within the 80% management level Recommended alternating pumping rates of future wells and locations to manage the water levels Implementation: Future well locations and pumping rates have been adjusted
12	Groundwater Studies Water Model Completed in 1992 as an enhancement to the Charles County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan Created to determine necessary water system enhancements Help determine future well locations and associated infrastructure Enabled Engineers/Planners to restructure the Water Systems Goals and Policies for the County Comprehensive Plan
13	Groundwater Studies “Bryans Road Regional Water Supply Study” Completed in 1993 by the U.S. Army Corps and DNR-WRA for the Charles County Commissioners Evaluated how well the Bryans Road Area aquifers would be able to meet the water needs for the following 20 years Recommended the continued use of groundwater with the implementation of conservation measures Recommended exploring additional interconnection with WSSC in the Bryans Road Area Implementation: County created several CIP projects to improve efficiency of the system and conserve water Continued to require developers to make needed improvements as part of development approvals Interconnection policy implementation strategy added to the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan
14	Groundwater Studies “Bryans Road Area Water Study” Completed in 1996 Investigated water demand to the year 2012 and evaluated alternatives for water resources, treatment and distribution facilities Recommended new wells into the Patuxent aquifer and new water tower/storage facilities and locations Recommended inter-connection of the 14 private water systems with the County system to efficiently manage the water systems overall Implementation: Constructed new Patuxent production well and new 1 MGD tower Interconnected several of the private water systems with County system Extending Waldorf & Bensville Water Systems to Bryans Road to provide additional water source
15	Groundwater Studies “Charles County Comprehensive Plan Update – Groundwater Supply & Availability Study” Completed in 1997 by Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management Reviewed past studies and synthesized available information to provide guidance to policy makers Evaluated groundwater availability and alternatives for proposed future population growth, out to 2020 Recommended further detail be given to the water system inter-connection policy to bring it to fruition Recommended planning for future needs with County Resources Implementation: Water Interconnection projects put into CIP, some constructed to date County continues to fund MGS studies to determine capabilities of regional groundwater supply
16	Groundwater Studies “Bryans Road/Indian Head Patapsco/ Patuxent Aquifer Study” Completed in 1999 by MGS, on behalf of Charles County Estimated groundwater availability to 2020 in the Bryans Road-Indian Head area based on hypothetical pumpage scenarios Modeled scenarios to determine available drawdown Added monitoring wells to the observation network Recommended future wells be located further “down-dip” in the Aquifers Recommended potential source of water needed from outside the Bryans Road area to alleviate assumed drawdown (0.5 MGD) Implementation: Well 15 was located in the down-dip area of the aquifer (MD 228) Wells 16 and 17 are also to be located in the down-dip area Interconnection to Waldorf System will provide supply from outside source Constructed the Bensville Water System interconnection with the Laurel Branch Water System
17	Groundwater Studies “Waldorf Groundwater Optimization Study” Completed in 2003 by MGS, on behalf of Charles County Evaluated hypothetical scenarios to maximize withdrawals while minimizing drawdown. Estimated future groundwater levels of the Patapsco Aquifers in the Waldorf area based on hypothetical future pumpage Recommended future sites to shift pumpage/future wells (down-dip) to minimize drawdown Recommended pumpage rates for various well fields to optimize withdrawals and minimizing drawdown Implementation: Pumpage rates are being applied as a common operational management practice Constructed Waldorf Tower #5 (capacity of 2 million gallons) to reduce frequency of well pumpage Tower #6 to be added soon; Waldorf Well #16 and #17 are being located in the recommended down-dip locations
18	Groundwater Studies “Bryans Road Groundwater Optimization Study” Completed in 2004 by MGS, on behalf of Charles County Evaluated future groundwater levels of the Patapsco Aquifers in the Bryans Road area based on hypothetical pumpage scenarios Recommended shifting pumpage/future wells to the Patuxent Aquifer Also recommended shifting pumpage to down-dip area Recommended pumpage rates for various well fields to optimize withdrawals and minimizing drawdown Implementation: Bryans Road Well #5 was drilled to Patuxent Aquifer and a 1 million gallon elevated storage tower to reduce frequency of well pumpage An interconnection to the Waldorf Water System is to be constructed with the Cross County Connector providing additional support to Bryans Road
19	Groundwater Studies “Southern Maryland Regional Aquifer Study, MGS Administrative Report” Performed by MGS in 2005, with funding from Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties Evaluated future groundwater levels in all three Counties of Southern Maryland based on hypothetical pumpage scenarios developed by each County and MGS Study has not been completed; final report expected in Summer 2006 Implementation: N/A – Study not complete
20	Implementation of Recommendations Part 1: Capital Improvement Projects
21	Implementation/Projects Shift to the Patapsco Aquifer Initiated in the Mid-1980’s Following the Magothy Aquifer Study, the County drilled Waldorf Well #10 into the Patapsco Aquifer All subsequent wells also into the Patapsco Benefit: Allowed water levels to rebound as intended
22	Implementation/Projects Artesian Well Requirements Completed in the Mid-1980’s Coordinated effort with the Health Department to change the local requirements for new well construction Required 4-inch well casing to the top of the aquifer; eliminated 2-inch telescoping wells Benefit: Eliminated private telescoped wells to provide greater flexibility with water level fluctuations
23	Implementation/Projects WSSC Interconnection Water Booster Station constructed in 1995-96 Located at Bealle Hill Road & MD 228 Provides up to 1.4 million gallons per day (mgd) of water Benefits: Alternative source to groundwater Allows area wells to rest or reduce withdrawals as needed
24	Implementation/Projects Bensville-Laurel Branch Interconnection Completed in 2003 by Charles County and the Bensville Consortium Negated the need for an additional Bensville Well Complied with the recommendations of recent MGS Studies Benefit: Avoided a new well east of US 301 per MGS recommendations Provided a link necessary for the interconnection of the Waldorf, Laurel Branch and Bensville Water Systems Enabled future water supply to be drawn from the eastern portion of the County as recommended by MGS
25	Implementation/Projects Bryans Road Tower Completed in 2005 One million gallon tank Located behind the Bryans Road Fire Department Benefits: Management tool used to optimize withdrawals and minimize affects to groundwater levels Allows wells to rest Minimizes well run times Reduces Cone of Depression from consistent well pumpage
26	Implementation/Projects Bryans Road Well Completed in 2005 Uses Patuxent Aquifer Located on the Bryans Road Fire Department Site Benefits: Reduces demand in the Magothy and Patapsco Aquifers Reduces drawdown on private wells
27	Implementation/Projects Central Development District Water/Sewer Study Completed Summer 2005 Bensville/West Waldorf Plan location/size of future water and sewer lines Phasing plan for construction Benefits: Plans for inter-connections Helps Maximize efficiency of water system Provides for water supply from the down-dip area
28	Implementation/Projects Waldorf Well #16 To be located adjacent to the St. Charles water tower located at Palmer Ave and Smallwood Drive Consistent with MGS recommendations in locating future wells in the down-dip portion of the aquifer Benefits: Provides additional support to the existing well network located away from existing wells reducing affects of drawdown Enables system to rest production wells and properly manage groundwater withdrawals Provides increased pressure for fire flow
29	Implementation/Projects MD 229 Waterline Extensions Extends Waldorf & Laurel Branch Water Systems to the Bensville Water System Provides center link to the Waldorf and Bryans Road Water System Interconnection Benefits: Creates unified water system in the Development District Allows County to alternate wells/withdrawals Allows for withdrawals from the “down-dip” area
30	Implementation/Projects Cross County Connector Water Line Extension Interconnect Bryans Road with Waldorf & Bensville Built with road project Consistent with MGS recommendations by allowing withdrawals from “down-dip” area Benefits: Provide relief to Bryans Road wells
31	Implementation/Projects Waldorf Tower #5 Two (2) million gallon elevated storage tank Located off Middletown Road Benefits: Allows Wells to rest Minimizes Well Run Times Management tool used to optimize withdrawals & minimize affects to groundwater levels Reduces cone of depression from consistent pumpage
32	Implementation/Projects Waldorf Well #17 Construct a production well in eastern Waldorf Site to be determined To be completed 2009 Benefits: Provides additional support to the existing well network located away from existing wells reducing affects of drawdown Enables system to rest production wells and properly manage groundwater withdrawals Provides increased pressure for fire flow
33	Implementation/Projects County Water Model Created to determine water system needs Evaluate various improvements before capital expenditure Modeling best means of transporting water from “down-dip” area Create interactive digital mapping of water systems
34	Implementation of Recommendations Part 2: County Plans, Policies & Tools
35	Charles County Resource Management Actions Growth Policies (75% of population in the Development District) Enables County to manage densities in high water demand areas Allows County to manage/optimize the use of the water resource Zoning Deferred Development District encourages growth from existing public water system in the Development District RC(D) Zone helps concentrate development in the Development District with public water and sewer High Density in Urban Core served by public water and sewer Well Locations New wells directed to east of US 301, where groundwater is plentiful Well locations to the east have less affect on water levels to west A network of wells enables better management of the water table
36	Charles County Resource Management Actions (Cont’d) Interconnections with WSSC Charles County currently has one connection to the WSSC waterline in western Waldorf Provides 1.4 million gallons per day to the Waldorf system Supplemental flows from WSSC can enable the Waldorf system to rest certain wells when needed. Agreement in place for future connection at US 301 for up to 5MGD as needed
37	Charles County Resource Management Actions (Cont’d) Interconnection Policies Interconnect the Bryans Road, Bensville, Laurel Branch & Waldorf Systems Provide redundancy, by expanding distribution network to lessen impact on individual wells Alleviate impact on private wells by minimizing County withdrawals from large production wells
38	Charles County Resource Management Actions (Cont’d) MDE Groundwater Appropriation Permits Provides control & management of water resources including oversight of permitted quantities Clearinghouse review for all permits assures oversight from multiple jurisdictions Optional Public Hearings for every permit request to allow public input State expert review/consultation for every permit during approval process
39	Charles County Resource Management Actions (Cont’d) Recovery of the Aquifers Reduce withdrawals in areas that have experienced the greatest drawdown. Have begun better management of the resource to allow rebound Working to achieve balance of withdrawals with water level recovery
40	MGS Coordination Groundwater Optimization Studies Best practices for withdrawals Determine optimal well locations Manage withdrawal rates Distribution strategies (developed by the County) Identify sensitive areas Recovery strategies (developed by the County)
41	Current Strategy Continued Agency Coordination
42	Agency Coordination Review/Discuss Final Report of Southern MD Aquifer Study with MGS and MDE Continue to use updated aquifer data to determine best strategies for future water supply with MDE Pursue further WSSC Interconnections to add 5MGD Further define use of the Patuxent Aquifer with MGS
43	Closing Summary Charles County funded and completed over 13 studies to evaluate changes in groundwater levels over the last 25 years The County and MGS constructed an extensive Well Monitoring Network throughout the County County wells have been constructed to greater depths to avoid affects on private well users Several water systems have been inter-connected to provide a network of support and balance water withdrawals All new wells have been located in the “down-dip” areas to minimize drawdown A connection to WSSC was completed to provide alternative support when necessary The County constructed a network of wells and water storage facilities to optimize management of water resources It should be noted that the County has invested or committed more than 45 million dollars in water resource optimization and water infrastructure from 1993 through 2011.