AWWA ACE59948

In August 2002, North Carolina passed the Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area (CCPCUA) Rule to regulate groundwater withdrawal from the Cretaceous aquifers in order to minimize serious water level declines and salt water intrusion that have been progressively worsening in these aquifers. The major groundwater impacts are being observed in two principal aquifers, the Black Creek and Upper Cape Fear, which have been desirable sources of high-quality, low-cost drinking water throughout this 15-County region. The North Carolina Rural Center undertook a study to determine the effects of the CCPCUA Rule, evaluate current and future water supply needs and sources, identify water supply alternatives, and estimate the costs of compliance for 122 public water supply systems affected by this Rule. If fully implemented, the CCPCUA Rule will directly impact over 40 public water systems and will result in the elimination of 38 million gallons per day of existing groundwater sources. Replacement of these sources and development of alternative water supplies to meet future 2020 water demand is estimated to cost more than $250 million. Alternative water sources identified by the study include: development of alternate groundwater supplies from underutilized aquifers; development of surface water sources; regionalization of water systems to allow more efficient use of existing water supplies; water conservation, demand reduction, and water reuse; and, non-traditional sources such as brackish water, mine dewatering supplies, horizontal collector wells, and aquifer storage and recovery. Regional cooperation will be an important opportunity, allowing economy of scale in addressing aggregate demand, cost sharing, uniform rates, and bond-issuing authority. Includes figures.