PUD water presentation

Regional Approach to Water Resources in East Jefferson County: 

Regional Approach to Water Resources in East Jefferson County Presented By Dana Roberts Jefferson County PUD#1

Purpose: 

Purpose Our purpose in these talking points is to Show how we plan to meet demand. Illuminate some facts about water within the Chimacum sub-basin. Place this in the context of meeting existing and future water needs in East Jefferson County.

Introduction: 

Introduction The Tri-Area has only recently had to draw exclusively upon Chimacum sub-basin ground water exclusively to serve all its water needs. Previously, the Tri-Area was served by Port Townsend (City), and was supplemented by wells in the Tri-Area. This means that the region is more dependent upon ground water resources than ever. Instream flows set aside for fish will only increase our dependency on groundwater.

Introduction (cont): 

Introduction (cont) Concerns over availability are due to: the Olympic Rainshadow; localized susceptibility to seawater intrusion; a general lack of high yield wells and aquifers.

Introduction (cont): 

Introduction (cont) However, most available information suggests there IS adequate water for the UGA, Marrowstone, and greater population if appropriately managed and multiple sources are utilized.

The PUD currently…: 

The PUD currently… is now in the scheduled process of revising its water system plan - all water systems do this every 6 years. is prepared to serve Marrowstone and the Tri-Area UGA based upon current zoning, the proposed UGA and existing water rights. The PUD has enough water rights to address current and projected demand for the next 10 years (at 466 gpd per connection) or over 20 years (at 350 gpd per connection)..

PUD Service Areas: 

PUD Service Areas Quimper Water System

The Preliminary Permit : 

The Preliminary Permit The PUD has a preliminary permit application to drill near the airport for up to 600 gpm and 600 acre feet. The PUD must demonstrate no adverse effect upon Chimacum Creek, seawater intrusion or prior water right holders. The PUD may mitigation measures if Chimacum Creek is adversely affected (ie “pump and dump” low flow augmentation).

Water System Plan Revision: 

Water System Plan Revision State Department of Health must certify the PUD can deliver sufficient water to meet existing and planned demand for: 1) storage 2) adequate water rights, and 3) fire flow in commercial areas, etc.

Meeting Requirements: 

Meeting Requirements If the State determines the plan is insufficient to meet these requirements, the PUD would be forced meet them before service could be extended to, for instance, Marrowstone. The PUD is in compliance with all requirements for our existing systems.

Chimacum Sub-basin Assessment Data (from Parametrix, 2000): 

Chimacum Sub-basin Assessment Data (from Parametrix, 2000) Chimacum Sub-basin Estimated Groundwater Recharge 18,712 acre-ft yr Ground Water Rights 2,184 acre-ft yr Ground Water Claims 348 acre-ft yr Net Ground Water (Est.) 16,240 acre-ft yr

Water Available? : 

Water Available? Approximately 15% of annual recharge is allocated to water rights and claims. Implies that ground water may be available for further withdrawals. Exempt wells were not included in this calculation.

PUD Water Rights (Tri-Area only): 

PUD Water Rights (Tri-Area only) Qi* Qa* Sparling well 2250 gpm 1120 acre ft Kively well 200 gpm 160 acre ft Actual 2450 gpm 1280 acre ft Prelim. Permit 600 gpm 600 acre ft Potential 3050 gpm 1880 acre ft

Current Treatment Capacity & Demand: 

Current Treatment Capacity & Demand Current treatment capacity Sparling well 800 gpm or 1,152,000 gpd Kively well 200 gpm or 288,000 gpd 1000 gpm or 1,440,000 gpd Typical Tri-Area Summer Daily Demand= 1 million gpd Typical Tri-Area Winter Daily Demand= Less than 500,000 gpd

The Airport and Prospect wells: 

The Airport and Prospect wells Serve Glen Cove South from water right permits totaling 96 gpm and 96 acre ft annually. These two wells are intertied to the Tri-Area which in total will be called the Quimper Water System.

See Handouts: 

See Handouts See tables from the Water System Plan.

Bottom Line…: 

Bottom Line… At 466 gpd per connection, the PUD could support 2654 connections (currently we support 1800 connections in Tri-Area and GCS); At current growth rate and capacity we would be at full capacity in 2015.

Bottom Line (cont.): 

Bottom Line (cont.) At 350 gpd (closer to actual consumption per connection), the PUD could support 3623 connections; At our current growth rate the PUD would be at full capacity sometime beyond the year 2025. With additional conservation, the time the PUD reaches full capacity will be even further in the future.

Thoughts and Considerations: 

Thoughts and Considerations Is Water Use Declining in Chimacum Sub-basin? Irrigated acreage has decreased in recent years. The amount of water being used in the sub-basin is probably substantially less than what it has been historically. Over time, water rights not put to use within the Chimacum Sub-basin may be “relinquished”. Relinquished water goes back to State, Instream Flows.

Instream Flows: 

Instream Flows An instream flow setting of Chimacum Creek is forthcoming in 2005 and in other sub-basins. The local watershed planning group - of which the PUD is a member - will attempt to set flows in 2005. If the group can not agree, flows will be set by the Department of Ecology in consultation with local Tribes.

Exempt Well Reservation (EWR) : 

Exempt Well Reservation (EWR) PUD is urging for an exempt well reservation, a reserve to be senior to instream flow water rights. EWR addresses future need of currently undeveloped parcels outside present water service areas. Is still controversial and not yet agreed upon by the Planning Unit.

Some words on Chimacum Creek: 

Some words on Chimacum Creek (Vashon Advance Outwash) is a “major water-bearing unit with one highly productive zone known as the Sparling Aquifer” (USGS, 2004). “Some of the coarse-grained aquifer materials within the Vashon Recessional Outwash are in hydraulic continuity with Chimacum Creek”. There is no mention of the Sparling Aquifer being in continuity with Chimacum Creek (USGS, 2004). “The Sparling aquifer is not in direct hydraulic continuity with Chimacum Creek” (CH2MHill, 1996).

Future Sources and Alternatives: 

Future Sources and Alternatives Expand conservation efforts conservation rates education water smart home and commercial fixtures water audits leak detection and repair radio meter conversion

Purchase water from City?: 

Purchase water from City? Utilize City water when seasonally available and instream flows are being met. Use PUD network of wells when not drawing water from City system.

Purchase water from City? (continued): 

Purchase water from City? (continued) Fringe benefits: from using City water would recharge service area and augment water levels greater protection against drought (PUD wells could support City system in emergency) funding source for the City savings on operating costs for PUD

Re-claimed water: 

Re-claimed water If a Tri-Area sewer system is developed, likely use would be irrigation, and artificial recharge by spreading up valley. Only commercial areas to be sewered. Residential septic is likely contributing return flows to shallow aquifers and streams. PT Paper Mill… another potential source?

Purchase Water Rights: 

Purchase Water Rights Several significant ground water right owners have expressed interest in incorporation into the Quimper Water System.

Conclusion: 

Conclusion The PUD is convinced we need a regional approach to water resource management. Smart management will include conservation, reuse, multiple and interconnected sources to assure aquifer sustainability and healthy flows for fish…

Slide29: 

…and we can’t do it alone.