Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label MD Dept Environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MD Dept Environment. Show all posts

Friday, April 13, 2012

Maryland Department of the Environment announced today that a drought "watch" is in effect for the Eastern region of Maryland

Drought Watch In Effect For Eastern Maryland






Maryland Department of the Environment announced today that a drought "watch" is in effect for the Eastern region of Maryland






.

BALTIMORE, MD (April 13, 2012) – The Maryland Department of the Environment announced today that a drought "watch" is in effect for the Eastern region of Maryland, where precipitation levels have been below normal in recent months.

During a drought watch, MDE increases oversight of water supply conditions and encourages citizens to become more aware of their water use and to conserve water. Local water systems can require water-use restrictions at any time due to local conditions, but MDE is not at this time aware of any local jurisdictions implementing voluntary or mandatory restrictions. The status for all other regions of Maryland is "normal."

MDE monitors precipitation, stream flow, groundwater levels and reservoir storage to determine the drought status for each of six regions of the state. If two or more of the four indicators for a region reach "watch," "warning," or "emergency" levels, then the region is placed in the corresponding status.

Recommended actions have been established for each drought status. Actions recommended for watch stage include:

Public awareness and education

MDE and water systems provide the public with water conservation tips

Water systems aggressively pursue leak detection

Reduced water usage for main flushing, street flushing and park irrigation

Homeowners, government facilities, businesses and industry should reduce water use for irrigation

During the watch stage, MDE will evaluate drought indicators bi-weekly.

The Eastern region includes Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester counties. Monitoring shows that groundwater levels and streamflow in the region are below normal. Rainfall in the Eastern region in the first three months of 2012 is on average about 4.3 inches below normal, or about 60 percent of normal.
 

Precipitation has been relatively low for the past three months in the Central and Southern regions of the state, and some groundwater levels and streamflows are below normal. Conditions in all regions could worsen if sufficient rainfall is not received in the next month.

Reservoirs continue to have sufficient reserves and are expected to remain normal.

Conserving water is important at any time, but it becomes especially important during extended periods of reduced rainfall. MDE provides tips on water conservation for households, business and industry and water utilities.

Tips for households include:
  • Install low-consumption toilets and low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
  • Repair leaks
  • Don’t let the faucet flow while brushing your teeth or shaving
  • Operate washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded
  • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, steps and sidewalks
  • Limit watering to gardens and newly planted lawns and landscaped areas
  • Water your garden during the coolest part of the day, and not on windy days

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Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Doing business in the state of Maryland is an ordeal in hell: Permitting issue ends local firm's recycling of food scraps


Maryland Department of the Environment calls for operations to cease due to lack of permits http://tinyurl.com/7wkz6k5

By Kevin Rector, krector@tribune.com February 6, 2012


A Woodbine company that had been processing food scraps into composted materials with commercial applications — a process lauded by state and local officials as the next great frontier in recycling — has ceased those operations after hearing concerns about pollution from the Maryland Department of the Environment.

The impact has been far reaching, causing a string of institutions and the Howard County government, which were all sending food scraps to the facility, to find other, out-of-state facilities to handle the material.

Recycled Green Industries, which is still processing yard waste at its Carroll County facility off Kabik Court, received a verbal request to stop its food waste operations from the department on Dec. 22 because it did not have correct permits or processes in place to handle food scraps, according to a department spokesman… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/business/ph-ce-recycled-green-0205-20120205,0,5133383.story

[20120206 ExpCar Permitting issue ends firm recycling]

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Friday, July 11, 2008

What is happening at the Westminster Shopping Center?


What is happening at the Westminster Shopping Center?

July 11, 2008

Update: photo – October 28, 2008

Many folks have asked what is happening with the portion of the Westminster Shopping Center at the corner of Englar Road and Rte 140.

Sometime ago, the two back-to-back gas stations, that were located there, were torn down.

Then the area was fenced off and nothing has happened since.

Now anyone who knows anything about shopping centers knows that things often happen at break-neck glacier speed; so many of us thought nothing of it for a while.

I asked around and no one seemed to know anything. I thought of calling the owners, the Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRIT) – and well - I lost track of it. There are only so many hours in the day.

My experience with the WRIT is that they are usually very accessible – I just never got around to calling them.

And then the other night I was rummaging around the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) website researching another matter and there it was: “Facts about Westminster Citgo and Shopping Center Voluntary Cleanup Program.”

Apparently they are cleaning-up the site before they move forward… Which is a good thing.

I’ll paste the information from the MDE website below, but first some very brief reference material on the shopping center: “StoreTrax” deck sheet on the Westminster Shopping Center (retrieved July 10th, 2008):

Westminster Shopping Center, Route 140 & Englar Road, Westminster, MD
Details: County: Carroll, Type: Community, Built: 1958, Renovated: 2000: Westminster Shopping Center went through a complete redevelopment in 2000. Medium Boxes and Small Sites available for National Tenants. Total Square Feet: 176,692

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust 6110 Executive Blvd. Suite 800 Rockville, MD 20852

Leasing Agent(s) Steve Krupinski, 301-255-0846 phone, 301-984-9612 faxskrupinski@writ.com

http://www.storetrax.com/stx/showNAProperty.do?centerId=811&type=1&st_inc=no

MDE Facts about Westminster Citgo and Shopping Center Voluntary Cleanup Program

October 30, 2007

Page 1
Maryland Department of the Enviroment
1800 Washington Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21230-1718 www.mde.state.md.us
410-537-3000 800-633-6101 TTY Users: 800-735-2258

Facts About…

Department of the Environment
WESTMINSTER CITGO AND SHOPPING CENTER
(VOLUNTARY CLEANUP PROGRAM)

Site Location

The Westminster Citgo and Shopping Center property consists of two parcels totaling 10.84-acres located at the southeast corner of Route 140 and Englar Road in Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland. The property is a strip mall shopping center with several stand-alone buildings and paved parking areas. Overland flow from the property discharges to the southeast. The Town of Westminster supplies water and sanitary sewer services to the property and the vicinity. The Town of Westminster derives the majority of their potable water from groundwater and the Westminster Citgo property is located in the wellhead protection area. The property is zoned business. Other commercial properties surround the property.

Site History

Prior to 1958, the property was used for agricultural purposes, and in 1958, the property was developed into a shopping center. A dual operator service station was located on the property as early as 1959 and the associated building was demolished in 2006.

The current owner, Washington Real Estate Investment Trust, purchased the property from Westminster Shopping Center, Inc. in 1972.

In 1957, Westminster Shopping Center, Inc. purchased the property from Scott and Anita Bair who purchased it in 1955. Prior to 1955, the Albaugh and Babylon Grocery Company owned the property.

Environmental Investigations and Actions

Two service stations operated at the property from 1959 until 2006. Numerous underground storage tanks have historically been associated with the service stations. These tanks have all been removed from the property with the exception of one 8,000-gallon tank that was abandoned in place in 1989. During tank removal in 2006, petroleum contamination was noted in the soil and groundwater. Contaminated soils, totaling 322 tons, were also removed during the tank excavations. A Phase II investigation was conducted subsequently and revealed additional petroleum soil impacts and contamination of groundwater at the property.

An Oil Control Program (OCP) case was opened for the property (#2005-0945-CL). In November 2006, the OCP approved a work plan for the property that required additional sampling. In April 2007, the OCP requested an interim corrective action plan be developed to address the petroleum contamination at the property. The request also includes quarterly sampling of the groundwater from the existing monitoring wells.
Page 2

1800 Washington Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21230-1718 www.mde.state.md.us
410-537-3000 800-633-6101 TTY Users: 800-735-2258

Current Status

On August 20, 2007, Washington Real Estate Investment Trust submitted two Voluntary Cleanup Program applications for the property seeking a restricted no further requirements determination for the shopping center and certificate of completion for the service station for commercial future uses of the property.
Planned or Potential Future Action

The proposed future use of the property will be commercial.

Contact

Jim Carroll
Maryland Department of the Environment
(410) 537-3437
Land Restoration Program
Last Update: October 30, 2007

http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/Westminster%20Citgo%20and%20Shopping%20Cntr.pdf.

20080711 What is happening at the Westminster Shopping Center?

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Friday, April 06, 2007

20070404 Text of the consent agreement between Westminster Maryland and Maryland Department of the Environment

20070404 Text of the consent agreement between Westminster Maryland and Maryland Department of the Environment

(For other posts on "Soundtrack" - www.kevindayhoff.net about Westminster and Carroll County water and sewer issues click on: "Water and Sewer.")

Text of the consent agreement between he City of Westminster, Carroll County Maryland and the Maryland Department of the Environment

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

STATE OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

1800 Washington Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21230

SECRETARY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

WATER MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION

v.

THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF WESTMINSTER *

PO Box 710 *

Westminster, Maryland 21158 * *

CONSENT ORDER


This Consent Order is entered into between the State of Maryland, Department of the Environment ("MDE" or "Department"), pursuant to the powers, duties, and responsibilities vested in and imposed upon the Secretary of the Environment by Title 1, Title 5, Subtitle 5, and Title 9, Subtitles 2 and 5 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as delegated to the Director of the Water Management Administration (the "Administration") and The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster, ("City") regarding the provision of a safe and adequate water supply for the City and surrounding areas in Carroll County dependant on the City’s water supply.

WHEREAS, the City owns and operates two Water Supply Systems ("Water Supply Systems") serving the City of Westminster and portions of Carroll County, Maryland. They are known as the Cranberry and Wakefield Valley Water Systems. These water systems, under drought conditions, are not sufficient to serve all existing connections and all properties that have been issued building permits. During the drought of 2002, the City enacted mandatory water restrictions, trucked in water to serve existing users and connections, and violated a condition of one of its water appropriation permits requiring the City to cease withdrawals at certain locations when stream flow is below minimum levels. As a result of this water supply inadequacy, there was a moratorium on the issuance of new building permits and approval of subdivision plats for properties that would be served by the City’s water systems; and

WHEREAS, the City is taking certain measures to bridge the gap between its water supply demand during drought conditions, including utilizing water from Medford Quarry,

employing water restrictions as an interim measure, and developing plans to reduce water losses and increase water conservation. The City is also preparing a plan to appropriately manage and allocate its water resources. To address the City’s long-term water needs to supply water for new growth, the City is investigating the feasibility of alternative sources and preparing a plan to bring one or more of these alternatives to fruition. The purpose of this Consent Order is to allow the City to meet its existing water needs while remedial measures are being developed and put on-line, accommodate a limited amount of interim growth and establish an effective system for managing future capacity in accordance with MDE guidelines.

Regulatory Scheme

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has enacted a comprehensive permitting and regulatory scheme governing the provision of safe and adequate drinking water to the citizens of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, the Secretary of the Department is charged with the responsibility for regulating the operation of Water Supply Systems in a manner that will protect the public health and comfort, and for enforcing State Laws regarding corrections to public Water Supply Systems or the operations of such systems in order to abate risks to the public health or comfort; and

WHEREAS, Title 1, Subtitle 3, of the Environment Article authorizes the Secretary of the Environment to carry out the statutes and regulations promulgated under the Article; and WHEREAS, under Title 9, Subtitle 2, of the Environment Article, MDE is responsible for overseeing and assuring the adequacy of Water Supply Systems; and

WHEREAS, Section 9-252 of the Environment Article provides that the Secretary may require any public water system "to be operated in a manner that will protect public health and comfort" and that the Secretary "has supervision and control over the sanitary and physical condition of the waters of this State to protect public health and comfort"; and

WHEREAS, under Section 9-206 of the Environment Article, land platted for subdivision may not be sold unless a plat has been submitted to the Department or to a delegated local authority, which includes a statement of the methods, consistent with title 9, Subtitle 5, by which the subdivision is to be supplied with water; and

WHEREAS, Section 9-222 of the Environment Article provides that, where the absence or incompleteness of a system operated by a political subdivision is prejudicial to the public health or comfort, the Secretary may order the political subdivision to install, alter, extend, utilize, operate or complete a water supply system; and

WHEREAS, under Section 9-512(b) of the Environment Article, the local authority has the responsibility not to issue building permits unless, taking into consideration all existing and approved development in the service area, the water system is adequate to serve the proposed development; and

WHEREAS, under Section 9-512(d) of the Environment Article, a subdivision plat may not be approved unless the water supply system would be completed in time to serve the proposed development and would be adequate to serve the proposed development once completed; and

WHEREAS, an adequate water supply system is one that is capable of meeting its average demand and its maximum demand under drought conditions. A water system’s capacity is determined by evaluating the ability of the sources and treatment facilities to produce water under drought conditions while taking into account the water sources, water storage, and water appropriation and use permit limits. A water system’s demand is determined from past usage patterns and the characteristics of the user community, including residential, commercial and industrial use. The projection of future growth is used to establish demand for future years. Demands under drought conditions are determined for average daily annual usage, average daily usage during the month of maximum use, and maximum day.

Factual Background

WHEREAS, the City’s Water Supply Systems are public water systems that are supplying water to apartments, businesses, churches, public facilities, residences and schools located within the City and portions of Carroll County, Maryland; and

WHEREAS, the City’s Water Supply Systems serve a population of approximately 33,000 located in Carroll County, Maryland. The City maintains 6.9 million gallons of available storage of treated water and owns and operates a series of eleven (11) wells and stream intake structures (on Cranberry Branch and West Branch (Hull Creek)); conveyance systems; a raw water reservoir; water treatment and pumping facilities; and a distribution system that includes water mains, fire hydrants, and water meters; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to nine separate water appropriation and use permits, the City is authorized to withdraw 1.476 mgd as an annual average from the City’s eleven (11) production wells. Pursuant to Water Appropriation and Use Permit CL1957S002(06), the City is authorized to withdraw 2 mgd as an annual average from Cranberry Branch and West Branch as long as the. stream flow is greater than 0.3 cubic feet per second (cfs) below the intake on Cranberry Branch and greater than 0.55 cfs in the West Branch; and

WHEREAS, as reflected in Table 1 below, an analysis of the safe yield of the Water Supply Systems under drought of record conditions revealed a total capacity of 2.229 mgd as an annual average, with 1.18 mgd from the City’s eleven production wells and 1.05 mgd from the two surface water sources;

WHEREAS, the annual average drought year demand, including the demand from all permitted but not yet connected users as of December 31, 2006 is 2.996 mgd, producing an estimated average annual drought year deficit of 0.767 mgd ("Drought Year Deficit"); and

WHEREAS, the City and MDE evaluated the capacity of the City’s sources to meet the average annual system demand during non-drought conditions. Well 11 was not included in this analysis as it does not have a permanent connection and would not be used during an average hydrologic year.

MDE’s analysis of the City’s production data showed that the average year capacity under non-drought conditions, as shown in Table 1, was 2.992 mgd; and

WHEREAS, the City determined that the average year demand under non-drought conditions (equivalent to a drought year demand with water restrictions in place) including the demand from all building permits issued prior to December 31, 2006, but not yet connected to the water system, is 2.853 mgd (also shown in Table 1), which represents a surplus of 139,000 gpd under average hydrologic conditions; and

WHEREAS, in order to address their drought year water shortages, the City applied for an emergency appropriation of 1.08 mgd on any single day from Medford Quarry during 2002 and again in 2005. MDE authorized temporary emergency withdrawals of 1.08 mgd for any one

day in 2002 and 2005 via Permits CL2002S042(01) and CL2005S028(O1). The annual average reported water uses were 0.15 mgd and 0.267 mgd in 2002 and 2005, respectively. In order to obtain a permanent emergency back up source of supply, the City secured an agreement with the owner of Medford Quarry in June of 2005; and

WHEREAS, after the Department completed its review of all the relevant information available and taking into account the amount of land owned by the Quarry, the Department issued a Water Appropriation and Use Permit (No. CL2002S042(02)) in June of 2006 to the City for up to 0.5 mad from the Quarry as a maximum daily amount. The use was permitted as a back up supply to the City’s other surface water withdrawals from Cranberry Run and West Branch (Hull Creek) to help address the existing deficit and not to support any new development; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with § 9-512(d) and after meeting with the Department and the City in June 2006, the Carroll County Environmental Health Department stopped signing record plats in July 2006 as the City had not demonstrated that its water system would be adequate to serve additional connections; and

WHEREAS, after reviewing the City’s final Capacity Management Plan, MDE directed the Carroll County Environmental Health Department in September 2006 to no longer approve building permits that would result in a net increase in water demand on the City’s water system; d.

WHEREAS, according to the City’s Water Supply Capacity Management Plan, dated August 2006, the City’s unaccounted for water was as high as 24% of the total water delivered from the City’s water sources. Water loss could include authorized unmetered water usage, water leakage, meter errors, unauthorized use or billing errors.

Recent Actions Taken by the City to Improve System Capacity

WHEREAS, the City has taken the following steps to improve the system capacity and cover the Drought Year Deficit:

a. Secured engineering services for the design and permitting of a pipeline from Medford Quarry to Cranberry Reservoir;

Submitted a revised application for funding (low interest loan) to MDE to begin construction of the said pipeline and received an award of $6.5 million;

c. Made an application to withdraw 2.0 mgd as an annual average from Big Pipe Creek in May 2006;

d. Submitted in January 2007 an application to increase its appropriation from Medford Quarry to 1 mgd during the month of maximum use and 250,000 gpd as an annual average;

e. Submitted an application in December 2006 to withdraw water from Hydes Quarry as a back-up source for Little Pipe Creek. The total average annual withdrawal request for these sources is approximately 1 mgd;

f. Submitted an application in December 2006 to withdraw water from Little Pipe Creek initially as a back-up source to increase operational flexibility but then, if and when the Hydes Quarry withdrawal is permitted and connected to the Water Supply Systems, to provide an additional water source;

g. Evaluated the benefit of increasing the size of Cranberry Reservoir on the safe yield of the water system. Other sites for additional storage are also being evaluated to provide raw water storage;

h. Issued a Request for Proposal of Engineering Services to design a water treatment system for the Koontz Creamery Well. Alternatives being evaluated are direct treatment and use and pumping the well to the Cranberry Reservoir via pipeline;

i. Negotiating easements for a permanent connection for Roops Mill Well #11. Design is at 85% completion;

j. Contracted for installation of ion exchange treatment for nitrate removal at Vo¬Tech well with a Spring 2007 completion date;

k. Hired staff to review water billing to determine what portion of the 24% unaccounted for water may be due to accounting and billing errors; and

l. Participated in forming a task force with the County to evaluate and implement joint solutions to the water capacity problem.

m. Drafted amendment to the City’s portion of the Carroll County Water and Sewer Plan which describes the means and methods by which the City is addressing the Drought Year Deficit and what sources of additional water sources the City is considering to meet its future water needs.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is this (blank) day of (blank), 2007, pursuant to Sections 9-252,9-220, 9-221, 9-222, 9-268, and 9-335, AGREED between the Water Management Administration and the City of Westminster and ORDERED by the Director of the Water Management Administration that:

1. The City shall complete its technical study and meet all other regulatory requirements in support of its application to withdraw additional water from Medford Quarry and submit the completed application to MDE by November 1, 2007.

2. Within sixty (60) days of MDE’s decision on the Medford Quarry application, the City shall submit to MDE a final plan and schedule to complete all phases of projects necessary to eliminate the Drought Year Deficit. If the Medford Quarry source, as permitted, does not completely satisfy the Drought Year Deficit, the City shall apply toward the deficit all demonstrated reductions in unaccounted for water due to repairing leaks until the deficit is fully addressed. If, after considering the Medford Quarry permit and reductions in water loss, other projects are needed to fully address the Drought Year Deficit, the City shall complete all water use and appropriation applications for such projects within six months of MDE’s Medford Quarry decision.

3. The City shall complete its evaluation of the sources of unaccounted for water and submit a Water Loss Reduction Plan by June 30, 2007. The evaluation shall be submitted to MDE for review and comment.

a. The evaluation shall identify the average daily quantity and percentage of unaccounted for water believed to be due to:

i. leaks in the water distribution system;

ii. accounting errors;

iii. faulty/under reading customer meters or other meter errors;

iv. unmetered usage;

v. fire fighting;

vi. theft; and

vii. unknown sources;

b. The evaluation shall justify the estimates provided in subparagraph a above. Range of estimates shall be provided as dictated by available data; and

c. The Water Loss Reduction Plan shall identify those actions necessary to achieve a goal often (10) percent (%) or less unaccounted for water loss by 2012. The plan shall include to a description of capital improvement projects needed to correct significant leaks in the water supply system’s infrastructure. The plan shall include methods to comprehensively review the system to identify potential leaks no less than three times per year. The City shall annually submit a water audit following MDE guidelines and report on progress for implementing its plan by February 15 of each year for the preceding year.

4. By June 15, 2007, the City shall develop a Water Conservation Plan to promote the wise use of water to reduce excessive water usage. The Water Conservation Plan shall be submitted to MDE for review and comment. The Water Conservation Plan shall address the following:

a. Recommend changes to City Ordinance to promote establishing conservation measures, such as prohibiting outdoor lawn watering during certain daytime hours, establishing odd/even days for outdoor watering, granting incentives for planting new developments with drought tolerant grasses and using stormwater for outdoor watering;

b. Consider further replacement/rebate programs to promote greater use of low-flow fixtures;

c. Establishing a public education and outreach campaign;

d. Conduct water audits of the largest water users; and

e. By February 15 of each year, the City shall annually report on water conservation activities.

5. MDE agrees to review and make timely comments on all plans and reports submitted by the City.

6. Upon signing this Consent Order, the City shall be granted 60,000 gpd as an annual average to allocate in accordance with an Interim Allocation Plan, which the City will develop within 30 days from the date of this Consent Order. A copy of said interim Allocation Plan will be provided to MDE for its records.

7. MDE shall permit the City to maintain a flow-by of 0.2 cfs for Cranberry Branch and 0.37 cfs for West Branch as long as mandatory water restrictions are in place and until the project constructing the water line from Medford Quarry to the Cranberry Reservoir is complete.

The City shall conduct stream surveys/biological assessments of Cranberry Branch and West Branch in accordance with procedures contained in the 2001 Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) Sampling Manual. The surveys/assessments shall be made upstream and downstream of each intake site, with the locations proposed by the City and approved by MDE. Sampling of water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates shall be completed during the Spring Index Period (March 1 to May l, 2007). Sampling of fish and herptofauna and evaluation of stream physical habitats shall be conducted during the Summer Index Period (June 1 to September 30). The City shall submit a comprehensive plan to conduct such monitoring by April 1, 2007 and a final report by December 31, 2007.

8. By June 30, 2007, the City shall have in place the contract(s) necessary to haul a sufficient quantity of water equal to the difference between a system demand of 2.992 mgd and a drought of record year capacity newly calculated to account for the adjustment of the flow-by for Cranberry Branch and West Branch under paragraph 7 of this Consent Order. The City shall submit the revised mass flow analysis at the lower flow-bys along with copy of contract(s) by June 30, 2007.

9. By July 1, 2007, the City shall complete all permit applications needed to make a permanent connection of Well 11. Within 30 days of receiving all permits and completing easement negotiations, the City shall advertise the project for construction. The City shall provide a -schedule to MDE for the permanent connection of Well 11 and report to MDE when this well is permanently connected to the system.

10. By March 1, 2008 the City shall submit an updated Capacity Management Plan to MDE for review and approval. The Capacity Management Plan shall be consistent with MDE’s Guidance Document (2006). The Capacity Management Plan shall describe in detail how the City will manage its existing and future water commitments, the criteria it will use for distributing future flow allocations, and how it will limit the issuance of building permits and approval of subdivision plats so as not to exceed the capacity of the water supply system. The City shall implement the approved plan.

11. By April 1, 2008 the City shall submit a plan and schedule to ensure that the Water Supply Systems have sufficient capacity to meet all existing demand and demand for future planned growth under drought of record conditions. The plan shall also provide for a water reserve capacity to ensure no water deficit in the future.

12. Upon MDE’s approval of the City’s plan and schedule, the Department will issue notice to the City allowing it to allocate the remaining 79,000 gpd (of the 139,000 gpd surplus under average hydrologic conditions) as an annual average if the following conditions are met:

a. The City has received all approvals needed to construct the emergency pipelines from Medford Quarry and is on schedule with construction of this conveyance system (see paragraph 2 above);

b. The City has entered into all contracts necessary to complete the connection of Well 11 and has begun construction of the connection; and

c. The City is in compliance with all other conditions of this Consent Order.

13. The City shall implement water use restrictions, both voluntary and mandatory, d shall haul water from an approved source in accordance with the City’s Drought Management Plan dated July 24, 2006, until all of the projects needed to eliminate the drought year deficit and supply the 139,000 gpd authorized by this Consent Order are completed.

14. MDE reserves the right to require measures to make habitat improvements, revise flow-by conditions (see paragraph 7) or revise contract hauling requirements (see paragraph 8) based on the stream surveys and biological assessments provided under paragraph 7 of this Consent Order.

15. The City waives any right it may have to request a contested case hearing concerning the terms of this Consent Order.

16. Nothing in this Consent Order shall be construed to limit any authority of the Administration to issue any orders, enforce any applicable permits, or to take any action it deems necessary to protect the public health or comfort, or to limit any authority the Administration has or may hereafter be delegated. Any delays in meeting the requirements of this Consent Order, whether justified or not, may result in termination of this Consent Order at the discretion of the Administration. Subject to the two preceding sentences and any amendment of this Consent Order, this Consent Order shall be in effect until the City’s long-term measures to ensure an adequate water supply come are completed.

17. The provisions of the Consent Order shall apply to and be binding upon the City of Westminster.

18. It is the intent of the parties that the provisions of this Consent Order are severable and that, should any provisions by declared by a court of law to be invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions shall remain in effect to the maximum extent reasonable.

19. This Consent Order shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

IT IS SO AGREED AND CONSENTED TO:

Date Virginia Kearney, Acting Director Water Management Administration

Date

The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster by

Thomas K. Ferguson, Mayor

Approved as to form and legal sufficiency This (blank) day of (blank), 2007.

Adam Snyder

Assistant Attorney General

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

20070403 MDE: Westminster Sign Agreement to Protect the City’s Water Supply and Maryland’s Water Resources

20070403 MDE: Westminster Sign Agreement to Protect the City’s Water Supply and Maryland’s Water Resources

Press Releases

Maryland Department of the Environment

Media Contacts

Julie Oberg (410) 537-3003

Robert Ballenger (410) 537-3012

MDE, Westminster Sign Agreement to Protect the City’s Water Supply and Maryland’s Water Resources

http://www.mde.state.md.us/PressReleases/971.html

Westminster, MD (April 3, 2007) – Maryland Department of the Environment and the City of Westminster today signed a Consent Order that exemplifies a cooperative and comprehensive approach to address the City’s water supply needs at the same time that it ensures the protection of Maryland’s water resources.

“The droughts of 1999 and 2002 highlighted the need to fully evaluate water system capacities, as many sources in Central Maryland, including Westminster’s, were unable to meet public water demand without seriously impacting the natural resources that also depend upon that water,” said MDE Deputy Secretary Robert M. Summers, Ph.D.

“MDE applauds the cooperative approach that Mayor Thomas K. Ferguson and the City Council are taking to address the current situation in a manner that is environmentally protective.

We also appreciate the support provided by Carroll County throughout this process. Continued protection of the environment requires that we are able to support smart growth and meet the needs of our citizens living in areas served by state-of-the-art water and wastewater infrastructure. Our signing of this agreement today is evidence of MDE’s ongoing commitment to work with Westminster, Carroll County and the rest of our local governments to ensure that these goals are accomplished.”

The City followed MDE’s recently issued capacity management guidelines and performed a comprehensive analysis of the water system’s demand and capacity under drought of record conditions, which showed a significant deficit would occur. MDE, with the cooperation of the Carroll County Health Department, delayed approval of any new development that would increase the water system demand until the Consent Order was signed to ensure appropriate protection of public health and the environment when the next drought occurs.

The Consent Order:

provides the necessary framework to resolve the drought year deficit;

requires a schedule for meeting both short and long term water supply needs (e.g, the Medford Quarry pipeline will address the City’s short term needs);

establishes a timeline for completing plans (water loss reduction and conservation plans) to better manage the existing system’s capacity;

ensures that an interim contingency plan is in place to address drought conditions;

modifies operating conditions of the City’s surface water withdrawal permit under drought conditions; and,

grants a limited water quantity for planned development.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

20070328 Westminster to sign water agreement with MDE

Westminster to sign water agreement with MDE

March 28th, 2007

Kelsey Volkmann writing for the Baltimore Examiner reports that the City of Westminster and the Maryland Department of the Environment have come to an agreement “an agreement on how much water there is in Westminster’s system and how much water is expected to be after Westminster completes the improvements we have been talking about doing,” Council Member Gregory Pecoraro said.”

The article dated today, March 28th, 2007 can be found here: “Building can soon begin again in Westminster.”

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Wednesday, September 27, 2006

20060926 City of Westminster, Carroll County Maryland Drinking Water Supply Capacity Management Plan

20060926 City of Westminster, Carroll County Maryland Drinking Water Supply Capacity Management Plan

September 26, 2006

City of Westminster

Drinking Water Supply Capacity Management Plan


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Objectives

MDE requirements for Water Supply Capacity Management Plan

Water System Reliable Capacity

Projected Water Demand

Historical Water Supply Investigations

Solutions to Drought of Record Water Deficit

Impact of 2002 Drought On MDE Policies

• As a result of the drought, MDE developed “Final Water Supply Capacity Management Plan (WSCMP) Guidance Manual” published in July 2006

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT WATER SUPPLY CAPACITY MANAGEMENT PLANS

• MDE requires municipalities to complete and submit a WSCMP if they meet one of several triggers:

• Recommends every community over 5,000 gpd prepare a WSCMP

• Water system operating at 80% or more of design capacity

• Request an expansion

• Request modification to Water Appropriation Permit

• Operating subject to a consent order with MDE or EPA

Components of WSCMP Components of WSCMP

A WSCMP requires the following information:

• Reliable capacity of the existing water system components

• Ground Water Supply (11 wells)

• Surface Water Supply (2 water intakes)

• Water treatment plants (2 plants)

• Water distribution system including fire control, etc.

• Existing and future water demand based on population projections and development

• Determination of the water supply excess or deficit

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City of Westminster’s Water System Existing System

• 115-MG Raw Water Reservoir

• Permitted Surface & Ground Water Supplies = 3.48 mgd

• Water Treatment Plant Capacity = 3.25 mgd

• Finished Water Storage – Total 6.9 mgd

Reliable Capacity under “Drought of Record”

• Ground Water = 1.18 mgd (historical records)

• Surface Water = 1.05 mgd (flow mass analysis)

• Total Reliable Capacity = 2.23 mgd

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Historical Water Supply Investigations

• Early 1980s: R.E. Wright performed extensive hydrogeological evaluations

• Initial investigations indicated 12 – 14 million gallons per day of ground water available

• 1985 - 2006:

• Drilled recommended sites with mixed success

• Existing Wells No. 3 – 11 based on recommendations; typically 4 test wells at each site prior to locating water source

• Well 11 in final design stages

• Windemere – no water source located

• Pools Meadow – no water source located

• 1985 – 1987: Investigated Hydes Quarry

• 2002: Medford Quarry Emergency Water Source, Connected Wakefield to main system

• 2003: Hoff Nagana Test Wells (developer’s expense, no water available), Proposed reuse water for golf course irrigation (owner not interested)

• 2004:

• Cranberry WTP Upgrade to improve reliable treatment of poorer water quality

• Evaluation of Raw Water Reservoir Expansion by raising water level

• Evaluation of Raw Water Reservoir through purchase of land

• 2005: Evaluation of Little Pipe Creek

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Water Supply Alternatives

On-Going Solutions

Medford Quarry (0.5 mgd)

• Design change to pump to existing Cranberry Reservoir

• Reliable capacity = 0.5 mgd

• Anticipated start of construction July 2007

• Expansion of 115 Million Gallon Raw Water Reservoir

• Final negotiations under way

• Currently under evaluation

• Anticipated reliable capacity = 0.4 mgd

• Koontz Creamery

• Currently requesting proposals

• Anticipated reliable capacity = 0.3 mgd

Water Supply Alternatives - Additional Solutions

• Little Pipe Creek

• Currently in permitting phase

• Roops Mills Well Connection

• Currently at 85% of design

• Working through easements

• Anticipated start of construction Spring 2007

• Water Conservation Plan

• Educational programs under development

• Developing public awareness programs

• Water saving incentive programs under development

• Big Pipe Creek

• Submitted water appropriation permit

• Evaluation is underway

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Saturday, September 01, 2001

20010829 MDE: Westminster awarded grant to upgrade wastewater treatment plant

20010829 MDE: Westminster awarded grant to upgrade wastewater treatment plant

Press Releases

Maryland Department of the Environment

Richard McIntire (410) 537-3012 (410) 716-8784-Pager

CARROLL COUNTY AWARDED GRANT TO UPGRADE WESTMINSTER'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

http://www.mde.state.md.us/PressReleases/133.html

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 29, 2001) – Governor Parris N. Glendening today announced Maryland Board of Public Works’ approval of a $164,562 grant for Carroll County to upgrade and expand the existing Westminster Wastewater Treatment Plant so that it may operate more efficiently.

“We are taking progressive steps to protect our finite natural resources without compromising the high quality of service Marylanders expect,” said Governor Glendening. “This funding will allow Carroll County to serve citizens from the Westminster Wastewater Treatment Plant in a more efficient and effective way while at the same time, reducing the amount of nutrients being released into Maryland’s waterways. This grant assists with our on-going efforts to target state funds in Priority Funding Areas consistent with our Smart Growth Initiative.”

The upgrade to the existing Westminster treatment plant will include the construction of a Biological Nutrient Removal facility to improve nitrogen removal to a level of 8 milligrams per liter. The project also includes an expansion to increase the wastewater treatment capacity to 5 million gallons per day.

County officials are hoping this grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Water Quality Infrastructure Program will assist them in helping meet the Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction goal of 40 percent.

“The financial assistance from MDE and the state of Maryland is essential to allow the city to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant,” said Westminster Mayor Kenneth A. Yowan. “This project will enhance water quality in the Little Pipe Creek watershed and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

The total cost of the project is $4.2 million of which $2.1 million is the local share being paid by the city of Westminster. The grant approved today increases the state’s participation in the project to more than $2.1 million.


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Water and Sewer Westminster, Water and Sewer Westminster Wastewater Treatment Plant