The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced a simplified system for water-use registration under Pennsylvania Water Resources Planning Act.

The new, single-step registration includes the elimination of pre-registration and the opportunity for registrants to request a map to help identify source locations more easily.

The act requires public water supply agencies, hydropower facilities and individuals who withdraw or use more than 10,000 gallons of water per day over any 30-day period to register their withdrawal and use. Users of fewer than 10,000 gallons per day are encouraged to register voluntarily to help DEP get the complete water resources picture.

Individual homes, which typically use less than 300 gallons per day, would not be required to register.

Under Act 220, DEP must develop a State Water Plan by 2008. The plan has not been updated in more than 25 years, and it does not indicate which areas have critical water needs.

For more information, visit the Act 220 Water Resources webpage.

1/20/2006