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For more information on long-term water planning, visit www.GeorgiaWaterCouncil.org.
For the past several decades, populations have boomed in our urban
centers, threatened species have been further endangered, and the
costs of new water supplies have steadily increased. Water conservation
is more critical than ever for the long-term protection of our state’s
natural resources and economy.
Conservation tools are long-term strategies that should not be
implemented only as a response to emergency conditions or drought.
Successful water conservation requires careful planning for it
to be a reliable way to manage water resources. Experts agree that
water conservation is the most economical and environmentally protective
means of meeting water supply challenges.
Recent Directives for Water Conservation
Georgia’s leaders have heard the powerful messages about
the promise of water conservation and are calling for action.
October 2007
Governor Perdue Orders Utilities, Permit Holders to Reduce Water Use by 10 Percent
Governor Perdue Asks State Agencies to Reduce Water Consumption by 10 to 15 Percent
In an October 2003 (Executive Order ),
Governor Sonny Perdue called all state agencies to develop water
conservation plans for their facilities and operations.
The Georgia General Assembly passed the Comprehensive
State-wide Water Management Planning Act
in 2004, mandating EPD to create the first statewide water management
plan. This act elaborates that, “Water resources are to
be managed in a sustainable manner so that current and future
generations have access to adequate supplies of quality water
that support both human needs and natural systems” (O.C.G.A
Section 12-5-522(b)(2)).
In 2001, the DNR Board adopted a series of policies,
the Water
Issues White Paper.
This white paper included recommendations that the state, “Facilitate
the integration of water conservation into all water resource planning
initiatives…” (GA DNR 2001).
Furthermore, a statewide survey
on water issues revealed that citizen respondents felt their number
one constraint to saving water was the lack of state efforts to
conserve and help them conserve.
Resources for Water Conservation Planning
Many entities at the state and local levels are actively pursuing water conservation initiatives. Sound scientific and economic advice exists to assist state and local governments, regional planners, and all water users conserve. EPD often refers to these experts in the field:
National
Georgia
- Georgia Water Wise Council - GWWC provides a variety of services, including a speakers bureau to address many planning subjects.
- Pollution
Prevention Assistance Division - P²AD provides guidance
to industrial, institutional, commercial water users on efficient
technologies available to help save water and money.
- Department of Community Affairs -
DCA provides WaterFirst initiative to provide recognition to
localities that are actively implementing all water resource
management plans, including water conservation requirements.
- Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission -
SWCC provides incentive programs to help agricultural water
users conserve the use of Georgia's ground water and surface
water.
- University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences -
UGA College of Ag and Environmental Sciences conducts research
and workshops on reducing agricultural and urban water uses.
They also maintain a demonstration site in Mitchell County – the
Stripling Irrigation Research Park.
- The Georgia EPD has working with local farmers and citizens from the Lower Flint River Basin to create a Water Development and Conservation Plan. The Plan includes a comprehensive review of water development, conservation, and sustainable use. Using scientific information, promotes the conservation and reuse of water, intends to guard against a shortage of water, and promotes efficient use of the water resource. (O.C.G.A. 12-5-31). For more information, please
go to http://www.gadnr.org/frbp/index.html
- Coastal Georgia Water & Wastewater Permitting Plan for Managing Salt Water Intrusion was finalized in June 2006. This plan sets forth how EPD will conduct ground and surface water withdrawal permitting, and management and permitting of wastewater discharges. It advances requirements for water conservation, water reclamation and reuse, and wastewater management. Based on the findings of the Coastal Sound Science Initiative (CSSI), the Plan will guide EPD water resource management decisions and actions until superceded by the adoption of the General Assembly of a Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan in 2008. For
more information, go to http://www.gadnr.org/cws/.
Water Conservation Implementation Plan (WCIP) References
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