Water Withdrawals for Non-Agricultural Facilities
The state's waters are used for domestic, municipal, agricultural, commercial, industrial, power, environmental and recreational purposes. Previously, only public water supply withdrawals required permits. The new law extends this requirement to all water withdrawal systems with the capability to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day or more ("threshold volume"). Such systems (with some exceptions) must be permitted and water use reported annually.
Please note that agricultural facilities use a slightly different threshold volume.
See the following web pages for details regarding regulations, permitting, reporting, conservation requirements, pumping tests and water well decommissioning.
More about Water Withdrawals for Non-Agricultural Facilities:
- Water Withdrawal Permits - Water Withdrawal Permits are required for any withdrawal of 100,000 gallons per day or more.
- Annual Water Withdrawal Reporting - Any facility capable of withdrawing water at or above a rate of 100,000 gallons per day must report usage to DEC annually
- Water Conservation Requirements - Beneficial near term and long range water conservation measures can be adapted as necessary to reflect local water resource needs and conditions.
- Pumping Test Procedures - Pump test results must be submitted as part of any Water Withdrawal Application involving a new or additional groundwater source.
- Water Well Decommissioning - Proper decommissioning (abandonment) of water wells will prevent contamination of the aquifer via the unused well. These recommendations apply only to potable water supply wells.
- Decision Tree for Water Withdrawal Permitting - Use this decision tree to determine if your facility is required to obtain a DEC Water Withdrawal Permit.
- Decision Tree for Annual Reporting of Water Withdrawals - Use this decision tree to determine if your facility is required to submit an annual water withdrawal report.
