What's Happening?
The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Public Hearing concerning amendments to its Water Code and Comprehensive Plan. These proposed changes would mandate water supply systems serving the public, known
as purveyors, to report water use data from their largest customers. Specifically, Section 2.50 of the Water Code would be amended to require purveyors to report data for customers that received 50,000 gallons per day (gpd) or more on average over any 30-day period in the previous calendar year, through one or more proximate connections. The proposed amendments also specify that the owner or operator of any public water supply system with a withdrawal of 100,000 gpd or more on average during any 30-day period would be subject to these reporting requirements. The data to be reported includes the calendar year, DRBC docket and state permit numbers, customer identification numbers, monthly water supply amounts, customer type or sector, and NAICS code. A public hearing on these proposed amendments is scheduled to be held remotely via Zoom Webinar on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST.
Why It's Important?
These proposed amendments are crucial for enhancing the effective management of the Delaware River Basin's water resources. By requiring detailed reporting on large customer water usage, the DRBC aims to develop a more accurate profile of consumptive water use within the Basin. This improved understanding is vital for projecting water use trends, establishing water budgets, assessing future water resource needs, and evaluating the effectiveness of existing water conservation programs. Currently, approximately 300 purveyors in the Basin report source and service area water use, providing about 30 years of data. The new requirements will provide a clearer picture of how water resources are utilized, particularly by major users who obtain water from purveyors rather than direct withdrawals. This data will be instrumental in determining whether current drought management measures and contingency plans are adequate for future challenges, ensuring the long-term sustainability of water resources in the region.
What's Next?
Following the issuance of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, a public hearing will be held remotely on November 4, 2026, allowing stakeholders and the public to provide comments on the proposed amendments. The DRBC welcomes comments concerning the potential impacts of these changes on water conservation, utilization, development, management, and control of water resources in the Delaware River Basin, as well as on public participation. The Commission specifically seeks feedback on the burden the proposed rule might impose on water supply systems and large customers. The deadline for written comments is Friday, December 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. The DRBC will consider requests for translation of the notice and proposed rule text into languages other than English. After the public comment period, the Commission will review all feedback before making a final decision on the adoption of the amendments to the Water Code.
Beyond the Headlines
The proposed changes reflect a growing emphasis on granular data collection for environmental resource management, moving beyond aggregate reporting to pinpoint specific consumption patterns. This initiative could set a precedent for other river basins and water management authorities across the U.S., highlighting the increasing need for detailed water usage information in the face of climate variability and growing demand. The focus on large customers underscores the significant impact industrial, commercial, and institutional users have on regional water supplies. While the DRBC anticipates the incremental burden on purveyors to be manageable, the requirement for NAICS codes and detailed monthly usage data suggests a sophisticated approach to categorizing and analyzing water consumption. This could lead to more targeted water conservation policies and potentially influence business practices among high-volume water users, encouraging greater efficiency and sustainability in their operations.
