Youghiogheny River Lake Water Management and Reallocation Study

Abstract

The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC), a public water supply system licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), obtains a large proportion of their untreated water from the Youghiogheny River. The operation of this system is currently regulated by Water Allocation Permits issued by PADEP that establish a maximum daily withdrawal based upon minimum acceptable flows which serve to ensure that water quality and low flow augmentation are not compromised. As a result of current and projected increases in potable water demand, and recent regional drought conditions, this water authority is exceeding the permitted withdrawal amounts. In order to prevent a continuation of these violations, PADEP directed the authority to secure suitable additional storage to provide the needed supplemental releases during periods of low flow / high demand. Since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Youghiogheny River Lake is located upstream, the water purveyors contacted the Corps to explore the potential for reallocating storage to water supply. The opportunity for this reallocation may exist because recent improvements in water quality in the basin have resulted from the reduction in the area's heavy industry and mining. This loss of heavy industry, as well as a reduction in the severity of acid mine pollution, has reduced the pollution load of the Youghiogheny River. Consequently, the original authorized storage and release schedule for the Lake may be out-of-date because since less storage is probably needed to dilute pollution. In view of the considerable costs and negative impacts associated with alternative water supply strategies, storage reallocation appears to be the most feasible and cost effective means to alleviate future public water supply shortages or dramatic rate increases. A reconnaissance study was completed in February 1997 under the authority of Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970, which authorizes studies to review the operation of completed Federal projects and recommend project modifications. The conclusion of the reconnaissance study was positive and the effort has now moved to the feasibility study phase. The feasibility study will determine the optimal storage and release schedule that will offer the opportunity for the MAWC to obtain the supplemental water they require.