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Regional Water Council
Planning Update
Dargan “Scott” Cole
Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C.
191 Peachtree Street, Suite 2900
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-954-6924
Background
2004: The Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act
mandates the development of a state-wide water plan that supports a farreaching vision for water resource management:
"Georgia manages water resources in a sustainable manner to support the
state’s economy, to protect public health and natural systems, and to enhance
the quality of life for all citizens" (O.C.G.A. 12-5-522(a)).
2008: General Assembly Adopts the Georgia
Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan
(State Water Plan) and solicits nominations to
Regional Planning Councils.
2009: Georgia Environmental Protection Division
(GA EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources
initiates the Regional Water Planning Process.
Regional Water Planning Councils
The Regional Water Planning
Councils are charged with
developing a recommended Water
Development and Conservation
Plan for their Region for submittal to
EPD by January 31, 2011.
Water Development and Conservation Plan
Elements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Introduction
The XYZ Water Planning Region
Water Resources of the XYZ Planning Region
Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs
Comparison of Available Water Resource Capabilities
and Future Needs
6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals
7. Implementing Water Management Practices
8. Monitoring and Reporting
Responsibilities:
• EPD and its contractors will:
– Compile a set of water resource assessments which define
the capabilities of the region’s water resources in terms of
water supply and capacity to assimilate pollution,
– Assist the Regional Water Planning Councils to forecast
the needs for water supply and assimilative capacity within
each region, and
– Participate with the Regional Water Planning Councils in
developing a Water Development and Conservation Plan
for each region.
Responsibilities:
• The Regional Water Planning Councils will:
– Assist EPD and its contractors to forecast the needs for
water supply and assimilative capacity within each region,
– Identify management practices to be employed to ensure
that the forecasted regional water and wastewater needs
can be met without exceeding capabilities, and
– Participate with EPD and its contractors in developing a
Water Development and Conservation Plan for each
region.
What does this mean for my County?
• Once adopted the Regional Water Development and
Conservation Plans:
– Will be implemented by the water users in the water
planning region, and
– EPD will make water permitting decisions based upon the
plans.
Progress to Date: Water Demand Forecast
• Water Demand Forecasts (water and wastewater)
– Population Projections updated March 12, 2010
– Draft water demands for municipal, industrial, and
agriculture uses have been developed
– Presented at council meeting #5
– Energy water use forecasts are still in preparation
– Based on feedback, planning contractors will finalize the
forecasts
Base Year
Per Capita
Water
Demand
Future
Population
Region
Specific
Factors
Future
Water
Need
Progress to Date: Water Resource Assessments
• Resource Assessments completed for “existing”
conditions
– Surface Water Quantity
– Groundwater Quantity
– Surface Water Quality
• Draft synopsis reports are available on the State
Water Planning web site:
www.georgiawaterplanning.com
Progress to Date: Water Resource Assessments
• Resource Assessments for “existing” conditions:
– Surface Water Quantity:
Water demand (off stream needs) and Flow Regime
(instream needs) can be fully met by available water
resources.
– Groundwater:
The sustainable yield of the Upper Floridan,
Cretaceous, and Crystalline rock Aquifers are greater
than existing withdrawals. However, it may be difficult to
get sustainable yields from the Crystalline Rock in the
Piedmont.
Progress to Date: Water Resource Assessments
Water Quality:
Most streams have
additional assimilative
capacity available,
however, there are
streams with limitations.
Nutrient loadings to the
lakes will need to be
addressed.
Identification of Gaps
(Related to groundwater availability, surface water availability, and assimilative capacity.)
Management Practices
To “close” the gaps, region-specific Management
Practices will be selected by the Regional Water
Planning Councils for implementation by the water
users in the region and for use by EPD in water
permitting decisions.
Examples of Water Supply Measures:
• Public Education
• Conservation (a priority
management practice)
• Reservoir
• Desalination
• Interconnection
• Reuse
• Return flows
• Growth Strategies/Ordinance
Note: for illustrative purposes only, not a complete list.
Examples of Water Quality Measures:
•Point Source Examples –
– Wastewater Treatment Facilities
– Septic systems
– Secondary Treatment Technologies
and Land Application
– Advanced Treatment Technologies
– Reuse
Note: For illustrative purposes only, not a complete list.
Examples of Water Quality Measures:
• Non-point Source Examples • Watershed Protection and Monitoring
• Growth Strategies
• Stream Protection Program
• River Corridor Protection
• Conservation Zoning
• Septic Tank Maintenance
• Erosion and Sedimentation Control
• Livestock Access Limitations
• Public Education
Regional Water Planning: Work Flow
CM3
Vision
Synthesis
2050 Planning Horizon
Next Steps
1.
Finalize Water Demand
Forecasts
2.
Complete Resource
Assessments for Future
Conditions
3.
Identify Management
Practices to Meet
Demands
4.
Develop Regional Water
Development and
Conservation Plan
Planning Schedule
We are here.
How can you participate?
GA EPD is accepting public comments on the Draft Resource Assessments
through mid-May: http://www.georgiawaterplanning.org/news/
DraftWaterResourceAssessmentsforReviewandComment.php
Encourage your elected officials and water professionals to review the resource
assessments and communicate with the Regional Water Council members
regarding the adoption of Management Practices.
If you know of a local government, utility or non-profit water resource plan that
would help inform the development of the WDCP, forward them to your
Regional Council. Examples would include:
•
•
•
•
Water Supply or Wastewater Master Plans
Rate Studies
Watershed Management or Protection Plans
Stormwater Management Plans (MS4 SWMPs)
Acknowledgement
I want to thank the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division for its assistance in preparing
this presentation. It provided several of its
standard PowerPoint slides for incorporation into
this program.
Thank you.
Questions & Answers
Dargan “Scott” Cole
Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C.
191 Peachtree Street, Suite 2900
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-954-6924