Virginia Law

A. A regional water supply plan shall identify water supply risks relevant to the regional planning unit, using readily available information as defined in 9VAC25-780-50 C. For each water supply risk identified the likelihood and severity of the impact on water supply in the regional water supply plan shall be evaluated.

B. In identifying potential water supply risks relevant to the regional planning unit, the regional planning unit shall consider, at a minimum, the following:

1. The findings of any wellhead protection or source water protection plans developed for sources of supply in the regional planning area;

2. The potential effects of climate change or need for climate resiliency;

3. Reduction in availability to meet water supply demands during short-term droughts and long-term droughts due to current demands, increasing demands, new withdrawals, or other factors;

4. Reduction in availability of groundwater from coastal plain or fractured rock aquifers due to current or increasing demands or new withdrawals;

5. The water needs of other beneficial uses, including aquatic habitat and waste assimilative capacity;

6. Reductions in available supply due to a lack of assessment or failure to address excessive rates of unaccounted water;

7. Affordability of costs for developing new or maintaining existing sources, infrastructure improvements, and impacts to rates for water customers; and

8. Other water supply risks as identified by the local governments.

C. The regional water supply plan shall identify and evaluate a reasonable range of potential regional strategies or projects to address each identified water supply risk. Each strategy or project shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

1. A description of the strategy or project and the local governments and stakeholders that would be involved if implemented; and

2. An analysis of how the strategy or project would mitigate the impact of risk. For strategies or projects intended to address risks associated with a reduction in available water supply, an estimate of how the strategy would impact available water supply shall also be included.

D. Regional strategies or projects may address more than one risk. Cross-jurisdictional strategies or projects shall be considered to the extent practicable. Strategies may include water conservation elements included in the water demand management information and drought response and contingency plans required by 9VAC25-780-110 and 9VAC25-780-120 respectively. Projects that include alternative water sources or the expansion of existing sources shall be included in the analysis of alternatives required by 9VAC25-780-100 I.