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Water, Water Everywhere
Heavy rains doused Southern Maryland on Thursday night, leaving fields, yards and roads underwater in western Charles County and two cars submerged near the Prince George’s County line.
Posted by: Sammy on 05/11 at 07:14 AM
- 1 · Remember - this rain has a minor impact on the aquifers, as so much of this rain is runoff into creeks, streams, rivers etc.
It takes decades and sometimes hundreds of years for aquifer replenishment and because there's so much impervious surfaces in the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia areas, very little penetrates to the aquifers.
Of course, for those who use surface water (i.e. WSSC) this rain is a Godsend!!
Comment by cheryl on 05/11 at 10:41 AM | Back to Top - 2 · A little education requested. Modern developments (residential and commercial) almost always have storm mangement ponds that are supposed to meet certain flood plain criteria such as 50-year or 100-year criteria. When it rains, the water runs off of impervious and non-impervious surfaces into storm drains and then into the storm management ponds. If there is an enormous amount of rain, then these ponds overflow into various watersheds. But, I don't know why water that falls on an impervious surface is considered lost. Yes, there is the matter of evaporation but certainly most of this water must be absorbed into the ground and eventually reach an aquifer. Even if it takes a long time, it should eventually return to the aquifer just as the water that is being pulled out today may have been on the path to the aquifer for years.
I understand that if water is used faster than it is replaced, there will be a problem but water run-off into a pond, it seems to me, is no different than water absorbed into ones front lawn after a rain--neither goes to waste nor does rainwater that falls onto a roof or a parking lot if it is directed to storm drains.
Comment by Iamangttia on 05/11 at 01:05 PM | Back to Top - 3 · Iam - you make a good point and maybe some of that water does make it to the aquifer eventually, however, it takes decades and sometimes hundreds of years as I said previously.
According to David Bolton, Chief Hydrologist at Maryland Geological Survey, the rate of withdrawal is occurring faster than it can be replenished.
Are there places in Maryland in danger of running out of water?
The answer is a qualified "probably", not a definite no" according to Dr. M. Gordon Wolman, a Geography Professor at Johns Hopkins University and Chairman of the State of Maryland Water Advisory Committee which issued the "Wolman Report" May 28, 2004.
Nevertheless, the state's growing population is straining it water supply networks according to various experts, and unless steps are taken, shortages and water-use restrictions could become a chronic woe in some parts of the state.
According to Eugene Piotrowski, DNR Director of Resource Planning, in a February 2006 Baltimore Sun article, "I think
water is goint to be the critical limiting factor in how Maryland develops, or doesn't develop."
This same article reports that competition over water has triggered lawsuits in Calvert County.
There are no easy solutions experts say - and people don't understand why Professor Wolman jokes about praying for drought - he is just grasping for a way to warn people that drinking water is an increasingly unreliable resource even in this coastal playground.
Comment by cheryl on 05/11 at 01:53 PM | Back to Top - 4 · So, either stop the growth of population in many parts of Maryland or figure out a way to provide more water to those places to meet future demands. I don't remember the details but I recall that a couple of years ago Virginia wanted to run a pipe out into the Potomac River and start withdrawing water. Maryland said 'no'. Now, isn't this brackish water that I hear is too expensive to treat, and if so, how did Virginia plan on using it? Several Southern states like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, etc. have threatened to sue each other over the rights to get more fresh water out of certain rivers that flow through each of these States. My understanding is that they are now cooperating to share these rivers' waters more equitably. I can't understand why Maryland's State government doesn't step in and along with D.C. and other jurisdictions, start working out a plan to provide Charles County with some of the Potomac water that is now passing by Charles County's shores, albeit brackish by the time that it does. Also, isn't there someplace in Southern Maryland that can be studied as a possible reservoir if some source of water were dammed-up, creating something like Loch Raven that supplies almost all of Baltimore's drinking water? The problem may just need a little more creative thinking and a little less wringing of hands.
Comment by Iamangttia on 05/11 at 03:41 PM | Back to Top - 5 · Gee Iam, I wish I had all the answers - if I did I'd be raking in lotsa $$$$ as a consultant wouldn't I??
But seriously, the reservoir issue is addressed in the WRAC Report, and unfortunately it's not feasible in Charles County for a variety of reasons.
As for the brackishness of the Potomac this far south, you're correct and personally I don't think a desalination plant is feasible...but I'm certainly no expert on this.
As for sharing water, I am aware about the southern states you mention, but I believe something similar is already in place to a certain extent with WSSC providing water from the Potomac to Maryland, Virginia and D.C.
As for Charles Çounty and WSSC I just don't know what the status of negotiations are currently. I do know negotiations have been ongoing for about 2 years...however, in my opinion, I think there's a power play involved here.
If WSSC agrees to provide water for Waldorf, Bryans Road and LaPlata, it could mean that WSSC would also have some input as to future development in those areas, as it will have to provide the water. This in turn, means that a lot of the Commissioner's control and authority (and in the case of LaPlata, the Mayor and Town Çouncil's authority) regarding new development in those areas could be hampered considerably.
To my knowledge, this is how it works in areas currently served by WSSC, but in Charles County it would be very difficult for any of the politicians to relinquish any control!
We all know "growth" won't be stopped - in fact, once the economy improves, it'll probably intensify...and THIS is where MDE comes into play as MDE has the final authority on water use for new subdivisions and commercial users withdrawing more than 10,000 gallons per day.
However, we keep seeing MGS and USGS reports - ALL of which indicate serious consequences by 2030, yet development continues as if the aquifers are infinite.
Åll I can say is that in the next decade or two, the state and local officials currently in office will in all likelihood be long gone (most likely to other states like Delaware and Florida) while the rest of the citizens who are unable to relocate are forced to deal with the consequences of their inaction.
Reports, Comprehensive Plans and other such documentation are great for information and guidance, but unless the recommendations of those reports and plans are implemented, they really aren't worth much more than the paper they're printed on.
Comment by cheryl on 05/11 at 05:18 PM | Back to Top - 6 · The problem with the potomac:
# several years ago you all may remember another drought- that left much of the potomac shoreline withdrawn, just as the NC reservoir this year faced such a lowering of water (not that drastic- but severe enough).
# many areas upriver are thinking of pulling water from the potomac for drinking water, which will leave a decreased flow.
# its a matter of availablity and flow- if its low and too many areas are drawing drinking water from the potomac, there will be not enough water- just as in the western US where they are experencing water wars.
The number 1 step is to educate the public that water just does not happen to flow out of the faucet effortlessly. This is what everyone expects. Just as with gasoline, people have to realize, it is a commodity.
People need, just like energy- to conserve... lower usage means more water to replenish the aquaifers. Metering will help here. ANd for those who dont know- these water saving devices definately work- we use hundreds of gallons indoor water, less than our neighbor. Its amazing. And if we go even farther- it will be even more.
People need to relandscape= and the upside is less maintanence. Rain gardens to capture runoff and let it perk thru the ground slowly is a key component. The strom water ponds are clay holes essectially and will hold the water, it evaporates and only a small amount will perculate down. So storm management that was done in the past 20- 30 years is a flawed system for replenishment to the earth. All downspouts should be fit with rainbarrells for your outdoor water needs. Then you do not need drinking water for this.
The next step is slowing growth, till you get a handle on what to do. Of course with this all new homes should have every water saving system already installed.
Grey water systems should be allowed in the zoning- most who use it across the Country are using illegal systems. ANd it does need to be done right to be fine for the environment- we dont want phosphates and others things running into the streams. If used with rain barrels and landscaping you can be assured you would need no drinking water for your outdoor needs.
It is a very multifaceted problem and it needs to be solved with multiple systems. ANd people need to know old hippies and environmentalists are not the enemy but have real expertise in using all thses things. Instead of thinking them crazy or old fashioned or anti development- you need to see them as stewards of the future.
A man must learn to understand the motives of human beings, their illusions, and their sufferings. einstein
Comment by BJGoodwin on 05/11 at 07:57 PM | Back to Top - 7 · Virginia wanted to run a pipe out into the Potomac River and start withdrawing water. Maryland said 'no'. Now, isn't this brackish water that I hear is too expensive to treat,
The Potomac River belongs to Maryland. Fairfax County, Virginia wanted to build a pipe for PR water extraction to service new development, and Maryland said NO. The pipe ended up being built. The PR water up in that area is fresh--no salt, no brackish. I don't know where the River becomes fresh vs tidal.
But, I don't know why water that falls on an impervious surface is considered lost.
Water falling on concrete, asphalt, farmed fields, etc. flows directly into a watershed carrying with it a myriad of pollutants thereby degrading water quality (other problems are erosion, flooding, and loss of habitats). In areas left in their natural state there is little run-off during a normal rainfall (this stuff we're having now isn't normal--we've had 4 1/2 inches since 5 pm yesterday) with the soil, plants, trees, etc filtering out much of the pollutants--the water percolates down into the ground maybe reaching one of our aquifers (not enough to support the amount of development in CC, but better than nothing).
I'm no expert so if I made any mistakes, someone please chime in.
Comment by seahorse on 05/12 at 08:00 AM | Back to Top - 8 · You're right seahorse.
I don't know at what point the PR water becomes brackish, but I do know it's brackish by the time it gets to Charles County - somewhere near the Bryans Road area, I believe.
In any case, I doubt that desalination will work for PR water this far south.
The quickest, easiest and cheapest solution is connection with WSSC for the densely populated areas of Waldorf, Bryans Road and LaPlata.
I know people who live in those areas will have hissy fits because of the cost of WSSC service. But we either pay now or later....and in my opinion, "later" is not an option because "later" (next decade or two) may be too late.
Comment by cheryl on 05/12 at 10:08 AM | Back to Top - 9 · I have heard that it is considered fresh water up near woodrow wilson bridge- I would say definately somewhere below Great Falls and the Bridge Sounds reasonable. The further down the Potomac toward the CHesapeake the saltier it gets. Except in times of drought. I mean one year a salt water shark was caught in the Tall Timbers area and last year we had dolphins in Cobb Island
A man must learn to understand the motives of human beings, their illusions, and their sufferings. einstein
Comment by BJGoodwin on 05/12 at 07:21 PM | Back to Top - 10 · The tidal Potomac is not fresh water. The tidal Potomac River begins at Little Falls on the DC/Montgomery County line.
Comment by burningcoal on 05/13 at 08:16 AM | Back to Top - 11 · Potomac is a tidal freshwater estuary. Same for the Mattawoman (you can be paddling in freshwater with tidal influences--it's amazing how rapidly the tide pulls water out of the Mattawoman up around the Rt. 225 bridge) which is one of the many reasons it's so worth protecting.
Reckon Angler would know about this as he must have to have 2 fishing licenses one for tidal; one for freshwater.
Comment by seahorse on 05/14 at 08:04 AM | Back to Top - 12 · i think you can get just one- for the tidal potomac and patuxent- cant you? Of course its been a while since I bought a license.
A man must learn to understand the motives of human beings, their illusions, and their sufferings. einstein
Comment by BJGoodwin on 05/14 at 11:17 AM | Back to Top
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