Annual Water Withdrawal Reporting
Any water withdrawal system (with some exemptions) with the capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day or more must report amounts withdrawn to DEC annually.
Flowing artesian well
Water withdrawals must be reported by completing the Water Withdrawal Reporting Form (PDF 233 kB). Please submit via email; alternatively you may fill out, print, and mail the form. If you are having difficulty reading or submitting the form via email please download a newer version of Adobe Reader. A link to a free download can be found in the right hand column of this webpage under "Links Leaving DEC's Website".
Current Reporting Requirements
Required information on the form includes:
- The water source, the location of the water source and the source capacity if known;
- The amount of water withdrawn for the reporting period, including the average and peak withdrawals, for monthly or other intervals specified by the Department;
- A description of the use of the water withdrawn ;
- The estimated amounts of water returned, if any, the locations of such returns, and the method of such returns;
- The actual or estimated average monthly and annual volumes and rates of water lost or consumptively used from the withdrawal; and
- The water conservation and efficiency measures undertaken during the reporting period.
Water Use Reporting Exemptions
The following water withdrawals are exempt from annual reporting requirements:
- Closed loop, standing column, or similar non-extractive geothermal systems;
- Withdrawals subject to permits pursuant to ECL section 15-1527 and Part 602 of 6 NYCRR for Long Island water wells;
- On-site water withdrawal systems for approved inactive hazardous waste remedial site programs conducted pursuant to state or federal court order or state or federal government agency agreement or order;
- Withdrawals used for fire suppression or other public emergency purposes;
- Direct withdrawals from the Atlantic Ocean or Long Island Sound;
- Water withdrawals to supply ballast water necessary for lawful and normal vessel activity;
- Water withdrawals directly related to routine maintenance and emergency repairs of dams; and
- Reclaimed wastewater withdrawn for reuse.
- Temporary water withdrawals for the purposes of construction, dewatering, hydrostatic testing, or aquifer testing, where the volume withdrawn is less than an average of 100,000 gallons per day in any consecutive thirty-day consecutive period (3 million gallons during a 30 day period).
Decision Tree For Determining Need to Report Annually
The following tree will help you determine whether you must annually report water withdrawals to DEC. Review the paragraph above to determine if your facility is exempt from the reporting requirements.
