COG’s Water Resources Program and Regional Water Fund: A Brief History

Presentation to:Blue Plains Regional CommitteeMarch 22, 2007

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In the Beginning…

During the 1970s until 1981, COG’s Water Resources program was funded through federal grants under Section 208 of the Clean Water Act.

Section 208 supported regional water resources management planning.

EPA Region III and it’s “Annapolis Field Office” conducted water quality modeling and monitoring programs on the Potomac estuary.

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The 208 Plan COG staff & Water Resources Planning Board prepared

a “208” Plan and several supplements. The 208 Plan was intended to provide, among other

things, information on future wastewater treatment capacities, permit limits, and locations. It also included biosolids management plans & nonpoint source management plans. The intent was to show how the region would meet the goals of the

Clean Water Act. The 208 Plan was adopted by the COG Board in 1978 &

included a limit on the size of Blue Plains at 309 mgd. It also assumed a treatment plant in Dickerson Maryland would be constructed to address needs in Montgomery County through the year 2000.

The Dickerson plant was rejected and thus the 208 plan had a major gap.

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Blue Plains Feasibility Study

In 1980, EPA decided that it would not ask the region to find a solution to regional wastewater capacity needs through Section 208, but instead decided there should be a Blue Plains Feasibility Study to examine alternatives for the Blue Plains Service Area.

This study was funded under an EPA Section 201 Construction Planning Grant to the District, who hired Greeley and Hansen to conduct the study starting in 1982. COG was contracted via Greeley and Hansen to prepare

wastewater flow forecasts and to conduct water quality modeling studies of various alternatives for Blue Plains including expansion of the plant.

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EPA Funding Cuts

In 1981, there were major cuts in the EPA budget, including elimination of 208 grants.

EPA did fund the Nationwide Urban Runoff Program (NURP) and COG received a grant to conduct studies of nonpoint source best management practices such as wet ponds, dry ponds, swales, buffers, and other options.

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Origin of the Water Resources Regional Water Fund (RWF)

In 1981, EPA’s budget for monitoring on the Potomac estuary was eliminated.

In 1981 and 1982, there were major regional meetings leading to the conclusion that EPA’s modeling tool, DEM, was inadequate to evaluate the alternatives likely to be considered in the Blue Plains Feasibility Study.

The “Blue Plains CAOs” led by J. Lambert, concluded that the region needed it’s own technical capacity to carry out monitoring and modeling and should not depend on EPA.

It was agreed to establish a special fund at COG to support water quality modeling and monitoring activities on the Potomac estuary, and related policy development.

Funding was provided by the Blue Plains Users through the District of Columbia, Fairfax and WSSC.

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Regional Water Fund Circa 1982 Initially, there were 2 funds:

1 for monitoring, and 1 for modeling, regional analyses & policy. These were merged ~10 years later into one Regional Water

(Resources) Fund. The Regional Water Fund was initially used to support:

Matching funds to an EPA grant to develop the Potomac Eutrophication Model (PEM)

Collection of water quality data in real time at Chain Bridge There was a major local concern about understanding “upstream” nonpoint

source loads and the Chain Bridge monitor was located for that purpose. Analysis of water quality data collected in the Potomac estuary by the

states, and to develop the coordinated Potomac water quality monitoring network and management system

COG’s management of a regional water resources program including continued support to the Water Resources Planning Board and preparation of “208 Plan” supplements

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Developments 1983-1985 1983 – Major Potomac Algae Bloom; Expert Panel Study and modeling in

part supported by Water Resources Regional Fund; study completed in 1985

1984 – Blue Plains Feasibility Study Completed; led to conclusion that Blue Plains could be expanded to 370 mgd

1984 – Blue Plains IMA negotiations begun with COG as secretariat – additional funding provided to COG for this effort

1985 – EPA and States issue “Interim Control Decision” – requiring TP @0.18 mg/l at all Potomac WWTPs, deferring TN removal, and raising a concern about low dissolved oxygen in upper Potomac estuary COG involvement and consultant support funded via Water Resources

Regional Fund 1985 - NURP Study Completed; led to recommendations regarding need

for nonpoint source controls as alternative to or supplement to wastewater treatment controls. Ongoing regional interest in stormwater management.

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1985 Blue Plains IMA

1985 – Blue Plains IMA signed Included Section 9, providing support for

permanent regional water quality management program at COG

80% guaranteed by Blue Plains Users. Other COG members expected to provide remaining 20%

In 1985, the population of the District of Columbia, Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties was approximately 80% of the region

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1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement

Chesapeake Bay Agreement signed Led to development of Chesapeake Bay water quality

modeling tools and very active policy and technical activities

COG members sought direct, active involvement in Bay program through COG

Led to broader focus for COG’s water resources program to address wide range of Bay issues This included shift from active modeling program at COG to

oversight of Bay program via independent analysis/special studies role

COG’s Potomac Regional Monitoring program had new coordination requirements with Bay program monitoring effort

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Evolution of COG’s Water Resources Program Since late 1980s

Increased focus on Chesapeake Bay program issues Intensive involvement in Bay modeling, water quality criteria and standards development Active involvement in Chesapeake Bay agreement development and advocacy for local voice,

funding equity, good science, non-regulatory approach where possible Retention of traditional “208” plan roles:

Ongoing collection and periodic trends reporting on water quality data Development of regional flow forecasting modeling tool Modeling of Potomac estuary Retention of Chain Bridge monitor

Increased focus on providing information to members - through workshops and conferences, and now the COG web site

Increased interest of elected officials; greater reporting to COG Board Periodic need to address unexpected water resources issues – for

example: 1993 boil water alert at Washington Aqueduct, pfiesteria scare, endocrine disruptors and associated media interest

Addition of water supply component - after 1999 drought Addition of water security component - after 9/11 Funding of urban watershed management program - using COG

membership fees instead of Regional Water Fund

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Oversight for COG Water Resources Work Program

COG Water Resources Program is incorporated into COG Annual Work Program and Budget that is adopted by COG Board of Directors.

Oversight for detailed work program and budget allocations provided by: 1980s to 1988 – Water Resources Planning Board 1988 – 1995 – Environmental Policy Committee 1995 – 2005 – Environment & Public Works Directors Committee 2005 to date – Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy

Committee (supported by Water Resources Technical Committee) Blue Plains Users are represented on these oversight

committees

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Benediction

COG’s Regional Water Resources Program has been supported by the Blue Plains Users since the early 1980s and the region since 1986.

The program provides unique and specialized technical and policy capability for the region

While it has evolved, it has always been designed to respond to the interests and needs of COG’s members and major utilities, especially the interests of the “Big 4” jurisdictions (DC, FX, MC, PG), and WSSC, and now DC-WASA.

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Regional Water Resources Program

Core Program AreasHas evolved over several years

Regional Water Policies & Programs Committee Support (CBPC & WRTC) Technical Analyses Integrated Monitoring & Modeling Urban Watershed Management Water Supply & Drought Management Water Resources Program Management &

Development

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Regional Water ProgramActivities Sampler

Range of Activities CBPC & WRTC support Coverage of Bay Program and other federal &

state activities Workshops and seminars Regional analysis and position on water resources

policies and programs Modeling & monitoring Urban water quality & ecology Water supply & drought management

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Support to Blue Plains Users

Prior to 1985, COG provided support to Blue Plains Users via various regional mechanisms/Boards

Since 1985, COG has provided policy, technical and administrative (secretariat) support to the Blue Plains Committees Blue Plains Regional Committee (BPRC) Blue Plains Technical Committee (BPTC) Blue Plains CAOs Various technical work groups

Some changes over time (i.e., reorganized BPRC - District & DC-WASA now, elimination of BPTC, BPCAOs now Leadership Committee)

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BPRC’s Work Program & Budget

Annual Work Program Defined by Blue Plains Users Recommended by BPTC (previously) Approved by BPRC

Funding based on 370 capacity allocation or PI transmission allocation formulas

Core support/funding steady while specific project/study needs & associated funding vary in response to BPRC needs & direction

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Technical & Policy Supportto Blue Plains Users

Has varied over time to address BPRC’s needs Potomac Interceptor Studies & Related:

Transmission capacity analysis & dynamic model Conditions assessment & odor control Billing Meter Verification

Blue Plains Permit: Legal support for Blue Plains permit negotiations Discharge permit/water quality analysis support Mercury Fish Tissue Studies Technical support for change in Blue Plains phosphorus limit

Biosolids: Long-term Management Study Land Application Research Agricultural Support & Outreach

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Technical & Policy Supportto Blue Plains Users (Cont’d)

Has varied over time to address BPRC’s needs Management Support:

Support for creation of DC-WASA IMA Renegotiations (initial assessments & ultimate

renegotiations) Long-term Planning for Blue Plains Service Area

(BPSA) BPSA Wastewater Flow Model & Updates BPSA Long-term Planning Study Support for DC-WASA’s Nitrogen Workshops w/ EPA/state

stakeholders Specialized Modeling – Potomac Model Upgrade

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Wrap-Up

Thank you for your continued support

Questions?