look for
From the expanding Atlanta metropolitan region suburbs to the world-class golf
courses on the Atlantic Coast, Georgia's economy depends upon a consistent
supply of fresh water. Though Georgia has a humid climate and a statewide
annual rainfall of 51 inches, periodic water shortages have become a fact of life
for the state's residents. Such shortages are triggered not only by occasional
droughts, but also by uncertain aquifer supplies and a dwindling number of new
surface water sources available to satisfy the state's growing population.
POPULATION PRESSURE
While Georgia's population grew modestly during most
of the 20th century, it has recently boomed. Georgia
was the seventh fastest-growing state in the nation
from 2000 to 2010, growing by more than 18 percent.
If current trends continue, Georgia will reach 14.4
million residents by 2030.
About half of the state's residents live in the rapidly
growing Atlanta area. The city has a small surface
water supply relative to its size. As a result of this
supply and demand imbalance, Atlanta is
disproportionately affected by water shortages—a
condition likely to worsen as the city continues to grow.
WATER SUPPLY
Like other southeastern states, Georgia relies heavily
on ground water to meet its population's needs. The
state's southern half lies above the 100,000-square-
mile Floridian aquifer—one of the world's most
productive groundwater resources and a principal
water supply for Georgia and other southeastern
states.
Even though Georgia's high average rainfall is usually
enough to recharge its aquifers, the combination of
recent droughts and increased demand have strained
the state's groundwater resources. For example,
unsustainable pumping rates have significantly
lowered water pressure in the aquifer underneath the
City of Savannah and raised concerns about saltwater
intrusion into fresh drinking water. Surface water
supply is largely limited by rainfall levels and
Georgians' ability to efficiently capture and manage
this important resource.
SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Georgia has implemented a number of successful
water efficiency projects to reduce demand on water
sources, from the top levels of government to its
neighborhoods.
The Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010 requires
builders to install water-efficient fixtures in all new
residential and commercial construction statewide, it
also requires individual water metering in new multi-
PHONE (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) WEBSlTEwww.epa.gov/watersense EMAlLwatersense@epa.gov
A rnA EPA-832-F-13-007
OtjTr\ June 2013

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Saving Water in Georgia
unit buildings so that residents of each unit will know
how much water they use and have a financial
incentive to conserve.
The Cobb County Water System in suburban Atlanta is
a multi-year U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
WaterSense® Promotional Partner of the Year award
winner, thanks to its promotion of WaterSense labeled
products, support of the WaterSense labeled new
homes program, and ongoing commitment to water
efficiency. After Cobb County Water System started a
water efficiency program in 2005, the county saw its
per capita water use drop from 126 gallons per person
per day to 113 gallons per person per day in 2010.
What's more, a 2010 survey conducted by Cobb
County Water System found that more than 80 percent
Lake Lanier, Georgia
In 2007, Georgia marked the 50th anniversary of the construction
of Lake Lanier, a reservoir on the Chattahoochee River situated
northeast of Atlanta. Originally constructed for power production,
flood control, and downstream navigation, the lake has become
the primary source of water for Atlanta, which presents a
significant problem for the future security of the city's water supply
Drought conditions from 2007 to 2009 dropped lake levels to their
lowest since its construction. Given that a hot day can evaporate
about 200 million gallons of water from the lake—paired with the
constant demand from Atlanta—Lake Lanier faced a real risk of
being drained completely.
of respondents were familiar with WaterSense,
compared to just 10 percent a few years earlier.
Cobb County isn't the only Georgia community
committed to water efficiency. Atlanta's Brown Village
saw water consumption drop by more than 6.1 million
gallons per year after distributing water-efficient toilets,
showerheads, and tips to 340 residents. In Chatham
County, residents saved more than one million gallons
of water in one year after replacing 600 water-wasting
toilets with more efficient models. Continued efforts
such as these will help Georgians use water more
efficiently and ensure sufficient supply for generations
to come For more information on WaterSense labeled
products and new homes, or other water-saving tips,
visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

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