Deal OKs recommendations of water task force

By Associated Press

For the AJC

Gov. Nathan Deal has approved recommendations for low-interest loans that would be used to plan and build new reservoirs to increase Georgia's water supply.

Deal said on Wednesday the Georgia Water Supply Task Force's plan would help ensure the state has an "adequate and sustainable water supply for the future."

The program would use $300 million to expand Georgia's water supply by building multi-million dollar reservoirs, reopening inactive wells or drilling new wells. It encourages the state to offer loans to municipalities to pay for such projects.

It's part of an effort by Georgia to expand its water supply amid an ongoing fight with Alabama and Florida over resources. Lake Lanier, which supplies metro Atlanta with water, has long been the target of lawsuits from neighboring states over water policy.