Changing Water laws and policies Water Supply in Western Connecticut Conference Peter B. Galant, P.E. – Tighe & Bond Margaret Miner – Rivers Alliance CT

Creating new water systems The State Water Plan Agenda What’s a WUCC? Water Utility Coordinating Committees Creating new water systems Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) The State Water Plan What is it and what’s next? Incentivizing conservation The Revenue Adjustment Mechanism for private water companies Drought planning Public water supply droughts vs. State declared droughts

Water utility coordinating committees Maximize efficient and effective development of the State’s water supply systems and promote public health, safety and welfare. Established in 1985 Reinvigorated 2016 Three Water Supply Management Areas WUCC Members Public Water Companies Councils of Government

Coordinated water system plan WUCC Deliverables Water Supply Assessment Exclusive Service Areas (ESAs) Integrated Report Executive Summary Individual Water Supply Plans

Water supply assessment Introduction Existing Systems Water quality and source protection System reliability Service and supply adequacy Firefighting Major facilities Future Water Supply Sources Existing Service Areas Population and Growth Status of Planning Issues, Needs and Deficiencies

Exclusive service areas (Esas) An area where public water is supplied by one system Factors to Consider Existing water service area Land use plans, zoning regulations and growth trends Physical limitations to water service Political boundaries Water company rights System hydraulics Ability to provide service Don’t leave un-serviced islands unless there is no current or future need for public water service

Exclusive service areas - CT

Exclusive service areas - town Oxford Roxbury

Context and coordination of planning Integrated report Context and coordination of planning Water conservation Impacts of policies and regulations Climate change and resiliency Demand and available water projections Satellite management and small systems Interconnections Joint use of facilities Potential future water supplies Impact on other uses of water resources Minimum design standards Relationship with other planning documents Financial considerations Recommendations

Wucc schedule

Creating a new water system Public Water System ≥15 customers or 25 people at least 60 days per year Community 25 residents throughout the year Non-Community Non-Transient The same people more than 6 months per year Transient

Certificate of public convenience and necessity Community Main extension not feasible ESA holder shall own & operate WUCC approval not required Constructed to DPH and ESA holder standards Non-Community Main extension not feasible ESA holder may own & operate Developer may own until service available from ESA holder DPH approval WUCC recommendation Constructed to DPH and ESA holder standards

The state water plan – PA 14-163 Balance the use of water to meet all needs Source: Water Planning Council

Water Planning Council The state water plan Water Planning Council Department of Public Health Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Office of Policy and Management Multi-stakeholder process Steering Committee Science and Technical Committee Policy Committee Guidance not Mandates

State water plan top 10 Source: Water Planning Council

State water plan status Submitted to Legislature: January 2018 Acted on by Legislature: 2019? If not acted on by 2020 goes to Governor Next Steps: TBD

Incentivizing conservation Revenue Decoupling Only available to private water companies PURA sets required revenue If actual revenue is > required – customer credit If actual revenue is < requireded – customer surcharge Result: Revenue is independent of water sales Municipal and Water Company Roles Conservation vs Drought Planning

Drought planning Water Supply Plans State Drought Plan Water systems >1,000 people or 250 customers Four drought stages Advisory Watch Warning Emergency Updated every 6 – 9 years State Drought Plan Beyond public water supply droughts Five drought stages Heightened awareness Below normal Moderate drought Severe drought Extreme drought

More from Margaret?

Questions/discussion WUCCs CPCNs State Water Plan Conservation Drought