Subject:
Title
Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) project to update the Regional Water Supply Plan
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
In November 2005, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted the Local and Regional Water Supply Planning (WSP) Regulation, developed largely as a result of droughts experienced in 1999 and 2002. The regulation’s purpose is to:
• ensure that adequate and safe drinking water is available to all citizens
• encourage, promote, and protect other beneficial uses of water resources
• encourage, promote, and develop incentives for alternative water resources.
The regulation establishes a required planning process and criteria that all local governments should use in development of local or regional water supply plans. The plans must encompass a planning horizon of 30-50 years and address both surface and groundwater use.
In 2007 a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was executed among NVRC and 22 local governments of Northern Virginia, including the Town of Vienna, for development of a Northern Virginia Water Supply Plan. In accordance with the WSP Regulation, a major update of the plan is coming due and will need to be reviewed, revised, and submitted to DEQ no later than December 2023.
NVRC has begun planning for the 2023 major update and has requested that each NVRC community affirm their partnership in this effort and commit to the necessary funding. The Town’s cost-share, based on population size, is $12,450. This payment may be made all at once or divided annually ($4,150) over the next three fiscal years.
More details on this topic are included in the attached NVRC letter dated November 2, 2020.
Staff recommends that the Town participate in this effort and opt for the three-annual-payments of $4,150 option, which would come from the water and sewer fund. NVRC must receive a response from the Town by December 23, 2020.
Strategic Plan Initiative: Vienna is an influential and well-governed community. Vienna is an environmentally sustainable community.
Departmental Recommendation: Recommend approval.
Finance Recommendation: Recommend approval.
Purchasing Recommendation: N/A
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town may continue to participate in the Regional Water Supply Plan in the discretion of Town Council.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council approve and affirm the Town of Vienna’s participation in the 2023 update to the Northern Virginia Regional Water Supply Plan, in partnership with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, as presented.
Cost and Financing: $12,450 ($4,150 per FY over the next three years)
Account Number: 500-501-0000-50111-43101
Decision Needed by This date: 12/7/2020
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to approve and affirm the Town of Vienna’s participation in the 2023 update to the Northern Virginia Regional Water Supply Plan, in partnership with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and other participating local governments; and I further authorize the town manger to execute a Letter of Intent."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.