Grandfathered Water Uses Registration Program
In 2016, the Commission completed a study that compiled all available data to characterize Basin-wide water use and availability. It was concluded there were possibly more than 700 older, unpermitted facilities with an estimated water use of nearly one billion gallons per day, roughly equal to the total amount accounted for, and managed by, the Commission across the entire Basin at that time.
In an effort to close this significant knowledge gap regarding unpermitted water use and to ensure the Commission’s ability to effectively manage the water resources of the Basin, we developed a Grandfathered Water Uses Program. From January 1st, 2018 through December 31st, 2019, facilities were given the opportunity to register their grandfathered withdrawals and consumptive water uses to preserve exemption from obtaining a permit into the future.
Since then, more than 250 facilities whose water use equals or exceeds the regulatory threshold, providing there has been no environmental harm, have been registered as grandfathered. The Commission is now able to account for more than 795 million gallons per day (mgd) previously unknown, including nearly 18 mgd of consumptively used water and more than 777 mgd of water withdrawals. As of early 2024, there are a small amount of registrations yet to be processed.
Hershey Country Club
Fact Sheet
Registration of Water Uses that Pre-Date Commission Regulations
More Information
For more information on the Grandfathered Water Uses Program please contact Rachelle Eby at [email protected]