If you don’t understand the water issues presently facing Atlanta, this diagram should make it crystal clear:
Still not clear? Let me refer you to the website for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water District (MNGWD) and their Water Supply and Water Conservation Management Plan (WSP). The MNGWD was created by the Georgia Legislature in 2001 to get a handle on the water issues for the 16 metro counties under its jurisdiction. The WSP was issued in September 2003. If you don’t want to read the whole plan, you will find the Executive Summary comforting.
I found a lot of encouragement from the fact that, according to the Executive Summary:
This WS Plan Outlines a balanced, long-term water management strategy for meeting future needs, while protecting water quality through 2030, and preserving water resources in all five major river basins.
If they have already planned this out through 2030, what’s to worry, this is only 2007!
A few other interesting facts:
(1) Surface water (rivers, reservoirs) account for 99% of the Metro’s water sources. Thus, groundwater (wells) is less than 1%. Page 6.
(2) The Basin Estimated Available Supply in Million Gallons Per Day
Average Annual Daily Basis
Chattahoochee 641
Etowah 133
Flint 61
Ocmulgee 98
Oconee 0
District Total 933 (See Page 7)
(3) There are 5 new reservoirs in various stages of permitting which will provide an additional 114 MGD. Page 7. (As far as I know, none of these will be online in the next 3 months, but not to worry, it’s in the plan.)
(4) All of the counties within the District maintain connections with at least one other county for either routine or emergency water sale. Page 7. (Proof that drought is good for capitalism.)
(5) Indirect potable reuse, or reclaimed water that is returned to water supply sources such as Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona, provides the most flexibility in meeting future potable demands. Page 11. (I think this means that your toilet is going to have a direct line to your sink.)
Don’t let this list deter you from reading either the plan or the executive summary. I assure you there is a lot more there that you should know about that I have not mentioned.
If you are still concerned, then I suggest you attend the “State of the Region” program to be presented by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) on November 8, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency. The ARC provides the staff for the MNGWD and is equally interested in water issues.
The keynote speaker will be futurist, Glen Hiemstra, who will kick off a two-year initiative to develop a vision action plan for Atlanta for the next 50 years. To get a ticket you can go to the ARC website, or call Monique Steele at 404-463-3191 or email her at msteele@atlantaregional.com.
I am confident that if Mr. Hiemstra is going kick off a 50-year vision, all the answers to your water questions will be answered November 8th. This is HUGE! HUGE, I tell you. Be There or Be Thirsty!
By the way, if you are wondering what the heck is a “futurist,” they aren’t crazy enough to suggest that they can predict the future. Rather, they just project it! My mother used to project the future: “Just wait until your father gets home!”
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