the upper altamaha initiative:
spring 2008
water efficiency guidebook
Heather Fleming, Danny O'Brien, Herbert Ssegane, and Sarah Stevens
Water efficiency in Georgia, as well as other southeastern states, became one of the prominent political and social issues of 2007 as governments scrambled to find available water during record drought conditions. Drought conditions for Georgia are predicted to continue into 2008 and likely reemerge with greater impact if the effects of global climate change are not mitigated.
Water is a commodity consumed by users in all sectors. In Georgia, agriculture, power production, and residential use are the largest consumers of water. These sectors are vital to Georgia's economic stability and growth. As populations across the southeast grow, the demand for water increases while the supply declines. This supply problem is often focused on mandating decreased use as evidenced in residential watering bans. While restricting use has been shown in the past to be an effective short-term strategy it does not solve the overarching problem. Elected officials, resource managers, and citizens are realizing that reexamining water use and focusing on water efficiency may provide long-term sustainability.
The guidebook we will prepare for the Georgia office of American Rivers is a blueprint for empowering communities in Georgia to assess and implement water efficiency standards, which are both economically viable and environmentally beneficial. The guidebook will also assist local communities in Georgia and the southeast to develop best management practices increasing water efficiency. Specifically, the handbook will provide information on successful strategies in practice by highlighting the adoption process, legal requirements, possible incentive programs, and the overall effectiveness.
The group's work with Athens-Clarke County Unified Government is designed to determine how the availability of water resources may be incorporated into the decision-making process regarding individual development projects. This will include a review of current ACC guidelines and ordinances, as well as a review of other communities' policies concerning this issue.
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