Leaders of area governments have shown commendable foresight in developing long-range plans for meeting the water needs of their constituents, but a current study points to the need for even greater vision to avoid water shortages for future generations.
A report being prepared by the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center sees demand for water in Clarke, Oconee, Barrow, Jackson and Walton counties more than tripling during the next 30 years as the number of people increases from 276,134 to 757,000.
To meet the demands for one of Earth's most vital resources, area leadership will have to demonstrate the kind of rare understanding and cooperation that led to construction of the Bear Creek Reservoir, a 505-acre impoundment providing water to a multi-county area.
But neither the reservoir nor area rivers and streams will be sufficient to keep up with increasing needs. Some experts say state-issued permits for withdrawals already exceed the volume allowable under regulations. Although area governments currently haven't fully exercised their rights to take the water, it's likely they will during the next several years.
With a finite supply of water and an expanding population, there are limited options for addressing the problem. The two most plausible courses of action are the construction of additional reservoirs and better conservation/reuse of water.
Officials in Walton and Oconee counties already launched efforts to get state and federal approval for a Hard Labor Creek reservoir that would produce up to 60 million gallons a day, a figure exceeding the projected 2030 demands of those two counties by roughly 22 million gallons.
Leaders in Jackson and Barrow counties are calling for discussions on building another reservoir to serve the needs of those two fast-growing areas.
But damming rivers and streams to build reservoirs presents its own set of problems. There are legitimate concerns about the impact such facilities have on the environment, especially on aquatic life. And, in the aftermath of 9/11, there are growing worries about the threat of terrorist attacks on such facilities.
The more attractive option for some is the employment of large-scale and widespread conservation and reuse programs. This region must seriously consider techniques and policies already employed in other parts of the country.
Methods such as the collection and storage of rainwater by homeowners, the reuse of ''dirty water'' (laundry water, dish water, etc.) for irrigation purposes and greater use of on-site reclamation systems at major water users should be given greater emphasis.
Restrictions on outdoor watering of lawns and gardens in recent years have given Georgians an inkling of what almost certainly awaits them in the future.
We applaud the forward thinking that led to the Bear Creek Reservoir and the kind of planning being done by the Regional Development Center. We urge area leaders to continue those kinds of efforts while implementing policies and procedures encouraging greater conservation and reuse of our valuable water resources.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, January 28, 2004.
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