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THE COUNTY’S INFRASTRUCTURE BACKBONE
PLANNING ISSUE
The availability of a safe and
reliable water supply is very
important for economic
growth, but protecting water
resources for future
generations is critically
important as well.
What’s New
•
Comprehensive Water Resource Planning —
Resource planners and water purveyors are looking at
water resources comprehensively. This new
perspective includes considering the role of
stormwater runoff and treated effluent along with
rainfall, stream flow and groundwater in the
hydrologic cycle. The relationship of land use to
water resources is also an important consideration, as
development changes the water cycle.
•
Clustering of Wells —
Public water facilities are
particularly important in high and medium density
areas where wells otherwise would be clustered amid
multiple land uses. Dense clusters of wells are more
likely to interfere with each other and also provide
more ways for contaminants to reach groundwater.
•
Population Trends — The area served by public
water has the greater population.
Population density
in this area often exceeds 2,000 persons per square
mile. However, some of the fastest growing
municipalities in the county are either located in the
area not currently served by public water or have very
limited service.
Sewage
Facilities
Water Facilities
Solid Waste
Stormwater Management
Energy
Communications
Schools
Other Governmental Facilities
Water Facilities
Water facilities are an important part of the infrastructure
needed to provide a clean and reliable water supply for
residential development and to stimulate economic growth.
In 2010, the county had 799,874 residents living in 325,735
housing units. Approximately 695,890 people, or 87%, are
served by a public water system. Public water systems rely
on ground and/or surface water sources, and may be
interconnected with other water purveyors.
There are 17 large public water suppliers operating in the
county. They include 10 authorities, 4 privately owned
companies, and 3 municipal departments (Collegeville-
Trappe Joint Public Works Department is owned by both
boroughs). The 17 water suppliers manage over 254,000
connections and provide over 152 million gallons of water
each day for residential and nonresidential uses.
The public water purveyors in Montgomery County use both
surface and groundwater sources. The quantity and quality
of these sources is dependent upon geology and
precipitation. The
Water Resources Plan
provides an in-
depth discussion
regarding the relationship of geologic
characteristics,
land use, and the relationship of water cycle
to water supply.
Water resources must be managed and protected to avoid
resource degradation and other impacts. Land use can have
significant negative impacts on water resources. Impervious
surfaces decrease infiltration and increase runoff. This can
contribute to lower groundwater levels, reduced base flow in
streams, and increase streambank destabilization. Runoff
from developed areas can also carry pollutants.
Protecting water resources benefits purveyor and customer
alike. Resource protection tools include wellhead protection
programs and source water protection programs. Water
conservation efforts, including leak detection, billing/rate
structures, and public education, also help maintain an
adequate and reliable supply of water.
The type and size of public
water systems varies
considerably across the
county and reflects the
unique development
patterns of each
municipality.
