Impacts of Increased Runoff Localized flooding Changes flood plain in larger streams Changes stream channels (deepens, widens, steeper banks)

Impaired Streams

Caveats Annual averages, not models for local or site- specific water supply or well analyses Conundrum–larger areas allow more accurate but less useful estimates; estimates for small areas not really reliable for regulatory work Need to refine results for watersheds and subwatershed (local uses) – data limits Budgets based on issue – drought, average times, wet periods

What is Available Water? Surface Water Safe yield Drought of record Sustainable demands No harm to others No harm to streams Based on storage and stream flow Ground Water Dependable yield No harm to aquifer No harm to others No harm to streams Based on recharge and well locations

The Major Public Users (Raritan) Surface Water Elizabethtown Water Middlesex Water New Brunswick North Brunswick United Water- Matchaponix Sayreville Ground Water Elizabethtown Water Perth Amboy NJ American Water Many municipalities

Why Public Supplies? Population density exceeds levels that on-site wells can support Cost-effectiveness Link to public sewer systems Surface supplies – 1.2 million people

Passing Flows Control withdrawals and/or releases to minimize low flow conditions Applies to regulated withdrawals Major Raritan Basin controls South Branch at Stanton Station Raritan at Manville Raritan at Bound Brook

Total Available Water Surface Water NJWSA 225 MGD New Brunswick 8 MGD Others – limited Constructed facilities Ground Water MGD total Amount uncertain Naturally available Not concentrated

Projected Water Demands Includes demands from out of basin

Assessment Basin demand approaching available supplies before 2040 – new surface water project needed Ground water demands can exceed local supplies in shorter times – proved by dry domestic wells in drought Minimal additional ground water

Statewide Water Supply Plan Recommendations Conservation Protect existing sources Kingston Quarry if available in time Confluence Pumping Station second best Six Mile Run – wait

Caveats Pollution – can reduce availability Ground water – demands must be spread to avoid overdrawing local aquifers Ground water – estimates are rough Conservation – use rates can change Passing flows – influence safe yields Hydrology – development can change it Climate – changes affect yields

NJDEP Water Budget Project Focusing on watersheds (HUC-11) Documenting site and size of all permitted water withdrawals Estimating ground water recharge Estimating flow needs (volume and timing) for aquatic ecosystems Developing water budgets in 2004

Key Issues for Hunterdon County Rely on local resources or import? Scale? Surface water or ground water? If ground water, how conservatively should supplies be estimated? What level of knowledge is sufficient? What roles for conservation, recycling and reuse of water? What level of aquatic ecosystem protection? What are the implications for master plans?