Politics
Politics

Should Georgia store surface water in the state’s underground aquifers?

Dan Day, a water lab technician with the City of Dayton, takes a sample from one of 200 monitoring wells used to check on the quality of water in the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer and test for any contaminants on a regular basis. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF
Dan Day, a water lab technician with the City of Dayton, takes a sample from one of 200 monitoring wells used to check on the quality of water in the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer and test for any contaminants on a regular basis. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF
By Kristina Torres
Aug 11, 2017

As Georgia's stagnant water supply faces growing population demands and agricultural needs, state officials may clear the way for allowing the storage of surface water in natural aquifers underground.

The water-saving practice has gained traction nationally but long irked local residents especially on Georgia's coast — where it was once banned.

But the state Environmental Protection Division has now published a draft report outlining its authority to allow and manage what's known as "aquifer storage and recovery."

To find out how it would work and why it's been criticized by both environmentalists and conservative coastal lawmakers, click here to read our premium story only on myAJC.com.

About the Author

Kristina Torres
More Stories

Keep Reading

Chip Carter, a son of the late President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with longtime family caregiver and nanny, Mary Prince. "She's just family," Carter said. Plains, Georgia, July 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Chuck Williams)

Credit: Courtesy Chuck Williams

OPINION

The untold story of Amy Carter’s White House nanny, Mary Prince

Mary Prince met President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter 54 years ago as a wrongly convicted murderer. She talks about becoming a beloved nanny, caregiver and member of the family.

Democratic PSC candidates promise lower power bills headed into primary runoff

Two Democrats with contrasting backgrounds compete for the party nomination in a low-turnout runoff election for a chance to serve on Georgia's Public Service Commission.

SEC accuses GOP-linked Georgia lender of $140M Ponzi scheme

Federal regulators filed a complaint Thursday seeking the seizure of Georgia lender First Liberty Building & Loan, accusing its founder of operating a Ponzi scheme.

The Latest

Chip Carter, a son of the late President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with longtime family caregiver and nanny, Mary Prince. "She's just family," Carter said. Plains, Georgia, July 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Chuck Williams)

Credit: Courtesy Chuck Williams

OPINION

The untold story of Amy Carter’s White House nanny, Mary Prince

SEC accuses GOP-linked Georgia lender of $140M Ponzi scheme

SNAP cuts could mean fewer free meals for Georgia students

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.