Good news from the first Water Supply Outlook of 2023
ICPRB staff work closely with USGS, water suppliers, and other organizations to monitor for possible drought conditions. This includes publishing the monthly Water Supply Outlook, which provides the probability of low-flow conditions in the region.
There is good news for the basin. Although streamflow and groundwater levels are currently below normal, overall winter conditions means there is a low risk of drought this summer.
Although last weekend’s rainy weather meant we had to postpone our Walk in the Woods event, there are still many more fun and informative activities coming down the pipeline from organizations all over the basin. Find tree plantings, informative hikes, environmental festivals, and more on ICPRB’s Events page.
Thirty years ago this week, an oil spill in a suburban Virginia town wreaked havoc on the Potomac River. It put drinking water at risk, created toxic fumes, and decimated local wildlife. We explore the impacts that endure on drinking water resources in a recent article.
*Cancelled* Saturday’s Walk in the Woods: Lets be Smart about Winter Salt
Due to the pending storms, Saturday’s Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart about Winter Salt event has been cancelled. The walk will be rescheduled for the fall. Stay tuned for the new date. In the meantime, head over to the Izaak Walton League’s Salt Watch program to take the Salt Watch Pledge and get a free stream monitoring kit.
We are Hiring
Applications are due tomorrow for the Communications Director position. Check out our jobs page for more information.
Pushback on weapons testing on the Potomac, new fly fishing trail, a changing climate changes the river, & more in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – March 30, 2023.
Due to the pending storms, Saturday’s Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart about Winter Salt event has been cancelled.
The walk will be rescheduled for the fall, so stay tuned for the new date. In the meantime, you can head over to the Izaak Walton League’s Salt Watch program to take the Salt Watch Pledge and get a free stream monitoring kit.
On this day in 1993, an oil spill in a suburban Virginia town wreaked havoc on the Potomac River. It put drinking water at risk, created toxic fumes, and decimated local wildlife. The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) explores the impacts on drinking water resources that endure three decades later.
Booms capturing oil along Sugarland run (ICPRB Potomac News Reservoir, March 1993).
Thirty years ago today, a pipeline owned by Colonial Pipeline Co. — which runs from Texas to New York — ruptured and spilled almost 408,000 gallons of fuel oil in a suburban area of Northern Virginia. Contemporary reports note a geyser of oil the height of a 10-story building was observed behind a local hospital. Oil flowed into the local creek, Sugarland Run, and quickly found its way to the Potomac River, just upstream of drinking water intakes.
According to Congressional hearings, the disaster caused severe impacts on wildlife and national parklands. It resulted in $25 million in clean-up costs and a multimillion-dollar settlement with the Federal government, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Pockets of oil were detected as far down the Potomac River as Quantico, Va.
An ICPRB article written at the time states that due to high flows and a quick response from emergency personnel, the spilled oil was quickly removed or dispersed, however, Fairfax Water’s drinking water intake on the Potomac was forced to shut down for almost two weeks.
“While our spill notification system has improved since that time, our region’s drinking water is still vulnerable to contamination events,” said Mike Nardolilli, ICPRB’s Executive Director.
According to Nardolilli, the Potomac River supplies 78% of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s public drinking water. Moreover, D.C. and Arlington only have a one-day supply of back-up water should the Potomac River become unavailable due to drought or contamination.
“This anniversary reminds us that we need to make our water supply more resilient by supplementing our existing sources of drinking water,” added Nardolilli.
In a step towards resiliency, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) included provisions to explore supplemental storage options for D.C.-area residents in the recent Water Resources Development Act of 2022. Funding for that study, estimated to cost $3 million and take three years, still must be appropriated.
Noting the anniversary of the Colonial Pipeline spill, Congresswoman Norton asserted,
“There is an urgent need for Congress to appropriate the necessary funds to study how to protect the drinking water in the National Capital Region from serious vulnerabilities like what occurred on March 30, 1993.”
A presentation with more information on this event was given during the recent ICPRB Commission Meeting on March 7, 2023. A video of the presentation can be found on the ICPRB YouTube page.
The ICPRB Alternate Commissioner Scott Kudlas of the Virginia Department of the Environmental Quality will be retiring this year and has resigned his long-term position as the ICPRB Alternate Commissioner representing Virginia. We are grateful for his almost two decades of work protecting and preserving the Potomac River and its related resources.
We look forward to working with the newly appointed Alternate Commissioner representing Virginia, Anthony “Scott” Morris.
In recognition of his dedication and service to the Commission, a Resolution of Appreciation of Service was drawn.
The Resolution reads as follows:
Resolution of Appreciation for Service of Scott Kudlas
Whereas Mr. Kudlas has served as a Virginia Alternate Commissioner to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin from 2004 until February 13, 2023; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas brought to the Commission his skills as the Director of the Office of Water Supply at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas, during his tenure, served as a member of the Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac from September 2014 to September 2015 and as Chairman of ICPRB from September 2015 to September 2016; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas, a leader in the water resources management field, oversaw development of advanced technical tools for Virginia water supply planning, use of the Chesapeake Bay Program watershed model for water availability evaluations, and development of regional groundwater models to assist in management of coastal plain aquifers. He also understood the value of collaboration, working with scientists at Virginia Tech, the US Geological Survey, and ICPRB on projects to benefit the waters of Virginia; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas provided support between the Commonwealth of Virginia and its Department of Environmental Quality in a range of other ICPRB projects and further assisted the agency as an officer of the Commission; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas has retired from both ICPRB and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that at its business meeting on March 7, 2023, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin honors and commends Scott Kudlas for his outstanding service, expresses its appreciation for his many contributions to the success of the Commission, and wishes him success in his future endeavors.
The conference will be held on September 21, 2023. It will highlight the state of the science, case studies, equity and environmental justice considerations, policy implications, management actions, and funding considerations for climate change in the Potomac River basin.
We are seeking presenters to share their expertise in these and other related areas. If you are interested in presenting, please complete the Call for Presenters Form by COB Friday, April 21, 2023.
Sign up for email notifications of the conference by completing the Information Signup form.
This event currently is planned as an in-person conference (location is TBD but expected to be in the Metro DC area). The ICPRB is committed to the health and safety of staff, speakers, and attendees. As the conference date approaches, we will assess the safety of the of the event and will shift to a virtual event if needed.
Celebrate Earth Day with ICPRB by joining us for a stream cleanup in Frederick, MD, on April 15. Picking up trash in and near waterways prevents pollution, helps aquatic life, and improves water quality all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.
To stay safe and hydrated, we suggest bringing a water bottle and wearing sunscreen, sturdy/waterproof shoes (if you have them), long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat. Waders or waterproof boots are a plus.
ICPRB is hiring for a Communications Director position.
We are seeking a Communications Director who will control and oversee the flow of communication and information between ICPRB and the public. This individual will be responsible for acting as the face of ICPRB at media events and directing marketing and public relations campaigns. We seek a dynamic team player who will set the tone for messaging and who can effectively portray ICPRB’s values and mission.
As you may have heard, our friend and colleague, Curtis Dalpra, passed away on March 5, 2023. We would like to thank all of those who sent condolences and memories. It is evident by the outpouring of love and support, that he inspired many people during his four-decade career at ICPRB.
Among his many responsibilities here at ICPRB was the weekly Potomac News Reservoir. We will continue his legacy by sharing news and information from around the basin that informs the public as well as inspires stewardship of the Potomac River.
What does it take to protect drinking water for the residents of Frederick City?
Join us on April 29 for a hike in the Municipal Forest of the City of Frederick, Md. Our guide is Jenny Willoughby, the Sustainability Manager of Frederick City. Jenny will share her extensive knowledge of the Frederick Municipal Forest and what it takes to sustainably and responsibly manage the city’s source of drinking water. She will talk about the active forest management, the history, and the flora and fauna of the area.
Stay informed about the latest news, impactful projects, environmental challenges, and community initiatives in the Potomac River watershed—sign up today!
