Where does metro Atlanta stand two years after a federal court ruling jeopardized the region’s water supply? What are the results of almost a decade of hard work to reduce water demand and consumption?
Metro Atlanta has become a leader in water stewardship. Through the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, more than 100 jurisdictions are working together to implement the most comprehensive water conservation program in the country, and that work is paying off.
While the region grew by a million people in the past decade, per capita water use actually decreased by 14 percent. Our record for water efficiency surpasses most other metro areas, including Boston and New York, to which we are often compared. The district mandates 19 conservation measures, including conservation pricing (the more you use, the more you pay), retrofits of old toilets and system leak detection and repair. In addition, the Georgia Water Stewardship Act mandates water-efficient fixtures statewide, limits outdoor watering and sets standards for reducing system leaks. We anticipate savings of 180 million gallons per day.
However, conservation alone cannot ameliorate the impact of the federal ruling. The legal and political issues involving Lake Lanier must be resolved in order for the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a reasonable, sustainable operations plan that serves all users.
Metro Atlanta’s water predicament is a political issue that devolved into a legal mess. It is hard to believe that even Congress could have authorized the construction of a dam and reservoir just north of Atlanta without intending the growing region to use it for water supply.
In fact, the historical record supports the use of Lanier for water supply. Precisely, the dam was located upstream of Atlanta to “assure an adequate water supply for the metropolitan area.” Congressional testimony stated that Buford Dam was not envisioned as a “power project mainly,” but rather as a “multi-purpose project,” including water for Atlanta.
For the last 50 years, the corps has encouraged and operated Lake Lanier for water supply. Today, some 3 million people depend on it. They have no feasible alternative. Although additional reservoirs are planned for suburban counties, these projects cannot replace Lanier. That’s why Georgia appealed the court ruling and seeks to negotiate an amicable agreement with our downstream neighbors.
Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River are shared resources. Recognizing that, the water district and Georgia are leaders in water conservation, as a matter of law and regional policy. Regardless of the appeal’s outcome, Georgia, Florida and Alabama must craft a water-sharing agreement that considers all stakeholders of the basin. For the 3 million people in metro Atlanta, our future prosperity and quality of life depend on it.
Boyd Austin is mayor of Dallas and chair of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.
