MONITORING THREATENED WATER SUPPLIES

Among the significant concerns about the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline is the potential for damage to private and public water supplies. Although Dominion indicates that it will monitor the quality and quantity of water supply springs and wells, the information it has provided about its monitoring plans is evasive or incomplete. It’s clear that landowners and communities need to establish a baseline and collect the data that will be necessary to hold Dominion responsible for water supply damage caused by its pipeline.

In response to this need, the Environmental Resource Committee of the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance is undertaking a project to provide guidance on monitoring wells and springs at risk due to pipeline construction.


The following project description is based on information provided in the 3/10/16  ABRA Update.

Downstream Strategies, a Morgantown, WV environmental consulting firm, will examine the potential implications of pipeline development on private and public water supplies and will provide recommendations for water quality and quantity monitoring for landowners and water providers. The report will address both the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline.

The report is expected to be available in April and will be made public. It will consist of the following sections:

  • an overview of risks, potential impacts, and other water supply issues related to pipeline development
  • a description and evaluation of ACP and MVP water supply monitoring plans
  • recommendations for monitoring water sources for quality and quantity in relation to pipeline development
  • a guide for consulting and laboratory services to conduct water monitoring

Rick Webb, Chair of the Environmental Resources Committee and Program Coordinator of the Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition (DPMC), will manage the study for ABRA.  Special funding for the study is being provided by support from ABRA members.  So far, half of the needed $10,630 has been raised from contributions by the Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy and Highlanders for Responsible Development.

Further financial help is needed!  Please consider making a contribution to support this important study.  Checks should be made out and mailed to: Highlanders for Responsible Development – ABRA (with “Water Study” in the memo line), P.O. Box 685, Monterey, VA 24465.

A copy of project’s scope of work is available here.  For further questions about the project, contact Rick Webb at rwebb.dpmc@gmail.com.  For questions about making contributions to support the study, contact Lew Freeman at lewfreeman@gmail.com.