 |
WAREHAM, MA - The Wareham Fire District Water Department has been awarded $40,000 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for its on going water conservation efforts. The District has on hand an additional $13,700 in matching funds, bringing its total water conservation budget for 2008 to $53,000.
"We are pleased that these grant funds will be available to us to enhance and expand our continuing efforts regarding water conservation", said Water Superintendent Michael Martin.
Given that many of the Commonwealth's river basins are under stress due to development and reduced rainfall over the last decade, many water systems are struggling to meet the 80 gallons per day per capita (GPDC) and 15% unaccounted for (UFW) benchmarks for compliance with the State's Water Management Act.
Since 2001, the Wareham Water Department has aggressively sought to reduce its per capita consumption and un-accounted for water. In 2006, the District reported consumption at 65 GPDC and 13.8% UFW, exceeding both requirements. A significant accomplishment given that as late as 1999 the Districted reported 29% unaccounted for water loss.
The District credits its success to having in place an "odd/even" sprinkler ordinance, free distribution of water conservation kits to its customers, leak detection and repair, and its meter down sizing, repair and replacement program.
According to Martin, it is imperative that the District do even better. With it's 20 year State Water Withdrawal Permit up for renewal, and the DEP reluctant to grant increases in withdrawal allocation, the water department must prove it not only needs additional supply, but it is not losing water through leaks, waste, or under registering meters.
Presently, the District pumps on average 1.7 million gallons of water per day. While that number represents only 86% of its current allocation, the figure is misleading. When, "obligated" demand is factored into the equation, the District is closer to 97%. Obligated demand is defined as municipal service connections to existing dwellings already in place but not yet connected, or private development that has a high probability of coming on line in the near term. Examples of the former are the Rose Point, Blackmore Pond and County Road expansion projects. The latter, are approved, but not constructed residential subdivisions, the Wareham Crossing project, and the Town approved BDOD or Business District Overlay District.
The 2008 Competitive Water Conservation Grant Program helps communities protect its water resources by funding water conservation education and outreach programs, water audits, leak detection surveys, and distribution of water conservation kits. The $800,000 program, is funded and administered through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Proposals for the grant were selected on a competitive basis with priority given to water systems with documented history of water loss prevention and conservation, or whose Water Management Act permit is undergoing review. The District applied for a similar grant in 2007, but that proposal was not selected for funding.
| |
