Water Allocation Program Advisory Committee

A Partnership for Developing a Statewide Water Allocation Program

The RI Water Resources Board (Board) is charged by the legislature to manage the withdrawal and use of the waters in Rhode Island, apportioning it as necessary (RI Gen. Laws §46-15.7). Rather than embark independently, the Board invited interested partners to serve on the Water Allocation Program Advisory Committee (WAPAC). The WAPAC acted as a "Committee of the Whole", organized around the business process of managing water. It was an interdisciplinary, ad hoc committee that undertook the task of recommending an overall work plan with budget for the water allocation program.

The WAPAC was advised by several subcommittees. Over an 18-month period, the WAPAC identified program objectives, outcomes, milestones and timelines specifically related to implementing a water use management system. Only by measuring the amounts and purposes of water withdrawn and used will the state be able to make justifiable and legally defensible water allocation decisions. WAPAC subcommittees drafted several results-oriented reports to support over eighty recommendations that were forwarded to the Board.

Subcommittees
— Subcommittee Meeting Information

Education and Public Relations

Carry out an education, outreach and public relations program promoting long-range conservation and use of the water resources of the state. Pay particular attention to the needs of local municipalities, water supply districts, and constituencies most likely to be affected by a water allocation program.

Fees/Water Rates/Alternatives

Using economic analysis and other means, identify ways that water and wastewater rate structures can be modified to better reflect the cost of using water and preserving the resource. Proposed rate structures would encourage conservation, efficient water management, and consider affordability and equity implications. Investigate the use of fees and other alternative strategies to reduce, reuse, or recycle water.

Impact Analysis

The Impact Analysis Subcommittee exists to help the Water Allocation Program understand the social, economic, and environmental impacts of current water supply and use issues in Rhode Island and to assess to impacts of proposed actions. We will organize our analysis around four questions: When do we hit capacity constraints? Where? What are the driving forces causing us to hit capacity? What are the probable consequences?

Integrated Water and Wastewater Considerations

Joint Advocacy/Funding/Reporting Program Evaluation

Evaluate and recommend legislative strategies and cooperative funding to implement water allocation initiatives.

Out of Basin Transfer

Develop criteria for out-of basin transfers that protect the reasonable needs of water basins.

Priority Uses

The mission of the Water Allocation Priority Uses Subcommittee is to produce a set of dynamic criteria that may be used by the Water Resources Board in developing standards for uses of waters of the state. The criteria should be informed by existing state policy and federal and state law and shall be tailored to the degree supportable by existing data as well as to the unique characteristics of watersheds and basins.

Stream Flow Standards

Develop instream flow standards, including site-specific standards that allow for maximum sustainable use of the State's waters and are protective of the biological, chemical and physical integrity of those waters.

Water Rights/Regulatory Authority/Compliance

Review existing water rights doctrine in the United States, particularly in Rhode Island and recommend a suitable rights structure for Rhode Island. Clarify the existing regulatory framework of water management in Rhode Island by depicting organizational authority with water use.

Water-Use Reporting

Research

Now part of the Water Use Reporting Group.

CT Water Planning Council Workplan (PDF)