What are the surface water withdrawal infrastructures at risk of saltwater intrusion in the Chesapeake Bay?

From Alain Izabayo on July 28th, 2021

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This is a summary of our investigation in identifying and characterizing surface water withdrawal infrastructures in the Chesapeake Bay (all water use in Maryland and drinking water in Virginia) that are at risk of salt water intrusion due to climate change.

It was observed that all drinking water intakes are located on the freshwater part of the Bay and about 70 of the 90 freshwater Intakes were for irrigation-related activities. About 75% of the total gallons per day of fresh water withdrawn is used for power generation. The findings also show that about 98% of the total gallons per day of water withdrawn is salty, and predominantly used for power production. Other water uses such as commercial, industrial, fire and hydrostatic testing, institutional, mining, and construction tend to also use more salt water than fresh water.

These observations clearly indicate that water withdrawal infrastructures at risk, such as drinking and irrigation water intakes of the Chesapeake Bay heavily rely on fresh water and thus it is necessary to plan and prepare for possible salt intrusion

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What are the surface water withdrawal infrastructures at risk of saltwater intrusion in the Chesapeake Bay?

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