Delaware River Basin Commission Considering Water Supply Emergency

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is considering declaring a water supply emergency, as the region experiences persistent dry conditions, according to a press release. A special hearing will be held virtually on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. to gather public input on the matter.

Low precipitation levels have significantly impacted streamflows, groundwater levels and reservoir storage throughout the Delaware River Basin. The lack of rainfall has prompted drought watches or warnings to be issued in all or parts of the basin’s counties in New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

“Many areas in the Delaware River Basin continue to experience significantly below-normal precipitation with resulting effects on streamflows, groundwater levels and reservoir storage,” said DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini in the news release.

In October, the DRBC began releasing stored water from Beltzville Lake in Carbon County, Pa., to maintain the minimum flow objective for the Delaware River at Trenton, N.J. As of Nov. 6, approximately 1.12 billion gallons of water have been released from the reservoir. Blue Marsh Reservoir in Berks County, Pa., provides additional water in the lower basin for the Trenton Flow Objective.

The Trenton Flow Objective aims to control the salt front in the tidal Delaware River, preventing salty or brackish water from advancing up the Delaware Bay and reaching drinking water intakes for Philadelphia and New Jersey communities.

“The salt front is currently 17 river miles upstream from its normal location for this time of year, despite the reservoir releases,” said Amy Shallcross, DRBC’s Water Resource Operations Manager. “If more water is needed to address salt front management, we expect continued decreases in reservoir storage and additional drought risks.”

If precipitation patterns don’t improve, the DRBC said it will implement drought management actions, including reducing flow objectives for the main stem Delaware River and out-of-basin diversions to conserve reservoir storage. In a drought emergency, the DRBC can order releases from additional reservoirs to increase river flow.

The DRBC is urging residents and businesses in communities under drought watches or warnings to voluntarily reduce water use and maximize water efficiency.

This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.