Who’s Doing What and

Where Do We Go From Here?

Water Conservation in Georgia

“The beginning is the most The beginning is the most important part of the workimportant part of the work.”

- Plato- Plato

What is Water Conservation?What is Water Conservation? ……efficient use of water, through … lessening of water efficient use of water, through … lessening of water

withdrawals, water use or water waste.withdrawals, water use or water waste.

Conservation can forestall future supply capital …Conservation can forestall future supply capital …

It can consist of both temporary measures … and It can consist of both temporary measures … and permanent measures ….permanent measures ….

American Water Works Association (AWWA) Drinking Water Dictionary, 1st Edition

Why is it Important to Why is it Important to Conserve Water?Conserve Water?

Increasing number of people, same amount of water

Conserving water can delay capital expenditures

Conserved water is an additional supply Conserved water is good for the

environment Future generations quality of life

Why Pursue Water Why Pursue Water Conservation?Conservation?

100% + increase in state pop since ’60

15 mgd “new” water supply for each 100K new residents

8-9 mgd “new” wastewater capacity for each 100K new residents

3.94.6

5.5

6.5

8.2

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Census year

Total p

opulati

on (mi

llions)

Ten Key Steps to Planning a Successful Water Conservation Program*1. Identify conservation goals2. Develop a water-use profile and forecast3. Evaluate planned facilities4. Identify and evaluate conservation measures5. Identify and assess conservation incentives6. Analyze benefits and costs7. Select conservation measures and incentives8. Prepare and implement the conservation plan9. Integrate conservation and supply plans, modify

forecasts10. Monitor, evaluate and revise program as needed

*Handbook of Water Use and Conservation, Amy Vickers, 2001, pages 2 and 3

““It is one thing to find fault with an existing It is one thing to find fault with an existing system. It is another thing altogether, a more system. It is another thing altogether, a more difficult task, to replace it with an approach difficult task, to replace it with an approach that is betterthat is better.”.”

- Nelson Mandela- Nelson Mandela

Who’s Doing What?

State Level Water Conservation Efforts

DNR Board Water Issues White PaperDNR Board Water Issues White Paper

DNR Water Conservation and Regional DNR Water Conservation and Regional Reservoir PlanReservoir Plan

State Drought Management PlanState Drought Management Plan

P2AD Technical Assistance to Businesses & P2AD Technical Assistance to Businesses & Institutions Institutions

P2AD Water Conservation WorkshopsP2AD Water Conservation Workshops

State Level Water Conservation Efforts (cont)

DCA Water First Initiative and Keep Georgia DCA Water First Initiative and Keep Georgia Beautiful education effortsBeautiful education efforts

The State of Georgia – Water Conservation The State of Georgia – Water Conservation Coordinator positionCoordinator position

DNR (EPD) requires water conservation plans DNR (EPD) requires water conservation plans in applications for non-farm water withdrawal in applications for non-farm water withdrawal permitspermits

The DNR (CRD) Coastal Incentive grantsThe DNR (CRD) Coastal Incentive grants

Regional & Local Water Conservation Efforts

MNGWPD producing a Water Supply and MNGWPD producing a Water Supply and Conservation Management PlanConservation Management Plan

Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority WaterSmart ProjectWaterSmart Project

Dalton Utilities has implemented an Dalton Utilities has implemented an aggressive water conservation rate structureaggressive water conservation rate structure

SW Georgia Agricultural CommunitySW Georgia Agricultural Community

NGO Water Conservation EffortsGeorgia Water Wise CouncilGeorgia Water Wise Council

The Georgia ConservancyThe Georgia Conservancy

Georgia Wildlife FederationGeorgia Wildlife Federation

Upper Chattahoochee RiverKeeperUpper Chattahoochee RiverKeeper

The Georgia Poultry FederationThe Georgia Poultry Federation

GW&PCA – conservation and reuse GW&PCA – conservation and reuse committeecommittee

Georgia Water CoalitionGeorgia Water Coalition

University Water Conservation Efforts

Tifton Ag. Experiment StationTifton Ag. Experiment Station

UGA Extension – XeriscapeUGA Extension – Xeriscape

UGA College of Agriculture and UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences

River Basin Science and Policy Center River Basin Science and Policy Center – Athens, GA– Athens, GA

Where Do We Go From Here?

Develop/Implement Water Conservation Action Plan

Evaluate Current Planning Efforts

Set Goals (state & regional)

Conduct Statewide Water Conservation Awareness Campaign

Choose Appropriate Conservation Measures

Use EPD Permitting Authority to Implement Plan

Work With Governmental, NGO’s, and University System to Implement Action Plan

How Do I Find Guidelines from EPD to Help Me Put Together and Implement a Water Conservation Plan?

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TABLE OF CONTENTS GEORGIA'SENVIRONMENT

INTERSTATE WATERPLANS

RULES & LAWS

PLANS

OUTREACH

REGULATEDCOMMUNITY

EPD FORMS

TECHNICALGUIDANCE

ENFORCEMENT

ABOUT EPD

WHAT'S NEW(S)

EVENT CALENDAR

PRIVACY STATEMENT

COMMENTS

SEARCH

The EPD website can be found at:

http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/

You will see a green side bar similar to the one on the left of this slide. Click on Technical Guidance to find the EPD Water Conservation Guidelines with Commentary, and click on EPD Forms to find water conservation plan guidance as needed for surface water withdrawals for industrial new, industrial renewal, municipal new, municipal renewal, recreational turn new and recreational turf renewal. For groundwater guidance, contact Bill Frechette at EPD (404) 656-3094

Water Resources Allocation and Planning

•Planning Standards North Georgia Water District [Revised Dec 2001]

•Water Conservation Guidance [Revised Aug 2001]

•Linking State Water Programs to Watershed Management (Note: this file should be downloaded rather than viewed) [Revised Jul 2001]

•Developing Regional Watershed Protection Plans - A Guidebook for Local Governments (Note: these files should be downloaded rather than viewed) [Revised Jul 2001]

•Appendix A: Alcovy River Watershed Protection Project

•Appendix B: Description of Commonly Considered Water Quality Constituents

•Appendix C: Watershed Protection Fact Sheets (20.2 MB, PKZip format)

• 

•Interim Strategy for Managing Saltwater Intrusion in the Upper Florida Aquifer of Southeast Georgia [Revised Apr 1997]

•Supplement to the Interim Strategy for Managing Saltwater Intrusion in the Upper Floridan Aquifer of Southeast Georgia [Revised Dec 2001]

•Water Management Plan for Coastal Strategy Area [Revised Feb 2002]

•Offsite Links

•USGS Water Resources Information for Georgia

•Glossary of Water Related Terms

Kevin Farrell

404.656.3094

EPD Water Conservation Guidelines

http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/

Water Allocation/Withdrawal Ade Oke 404.656.3094

•Agricultural Withdrawal Application [Revised Aug 2001]

•Agricultural Withdrawal Application (Word format) [Revised Aug 2001]

•Offsite Link: Agricultural Withdrawal Application County Maps

•Industrial Surface Water Withdrawal New Application [Revised Oct 1998]

•Industrial Surface Water Withdrawal New Application (Word Perfect format) [Revised Oct 1998]

•Industrial Surface Water Withdrawal Renewal Application [Revised Jan 2000]

•Industrial Surface Water Withdrawal Renewal Application (Word format) [Revised Jan 2000]

•Municipal Surface Water Withdrawal New Application [Revised Dec 1999]

•Municipal Surface Water Withdrawal New Application (Word format) [Revised Dec 1999]

•Municipal Surface Water Withdrawal Renewal Application [Revised Dec 1999]

•Municipal Surface Water Withdrawal Renewal Application (Word format) [Revised Dec 1999]

•Recreational Turf Surface Water Withdrawal New Application [Revised Aug 2001]

•Recreational Turf Surface Water Withdrawal New Application (Word format) [Revised Aug 2001]

•Recreational Turf Surface Water Withdrawal Renewal Application [Revised Aug 2001]

•Recreational Turf Surface Water Withdrawal Renewal Application (Word Perfect format) [Revised Aug 2001]

•Industrial Water Use Report [Revised Jan 2000]

•Industrial Water Use Report (Word format) [Revised Jan 2000]

•Municipal Water Use Report [Revised Jan 2000]

•Municipal Water Use Report (Word format) [Revised Jan 2000]

•Online Data Entry for Drought-Related Water Withdrawals [Revised Jun 2000]

Surface Water Withdrawal Forms and Guidelines

http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/

Current Water Conservation Planning Efforts in Georgia

Water Conservation Elements of Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (16 counties):

Code Section 12-5-572(c)

It is the primary purpose of the district to develop regional and watershed-specific plans for storm-water management, waste-water treatment, water supply, water conservationwater conservation, and the general protection of water quality, which plans will be implemented by local governments in the district.

Water Conservation Elements of the Joint Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee:

http://www.cviog.uga.edu/water/index.htmlhttp://www.cviog.uga.edu/water/index.html

Recommendation 13Recommendation 13: Provide in the enabling legislation for the inclusion of goals for Georgia’s water management programs in the plan.

part 4part 4: Georgia’s water management programs allocate water and encourage efficient water use.

section dsection d: Conservation, efficiency and water reuse are encouraged while considering the impacts of consumptive use and return flows on other water users and the environment.

and section fand section f: Conservation and efficiency are achieved through using appropriate incentives and regulatory requirements.

Water Conservation Elements of the Water Conservation and Regional Reservoir Plan (44 counties):

The DSS Model (used in the District Plan) will enable evaluation of the water conservation potential of individual utility systems in the project area

Review existing water demand data

Develop sampling protocol for project area

Establish baseline water demands

Define menu of water conservation strategies

Evaluate water conservation scenarios

Conduct sensitivity analysis

Water Conservation Elements of the State Drought Management Plan:

Includes:

State providing notice of drought conditions (levels) by region

Appropriate minimum implementation requirements (actions), at each pre-drought and drought level stage (pre/into/in/out of)

Four levels of drought for purposes of planning and responses

Funding Available Through GEFA/Revolving Funds:

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority is a state agency that makes low interest rate loans to cities, counties and authorities for water, sewer and solid waste system improvements.

According to the U.S. EPA, The Clean Water State Revolving Fund resources (managed in Georgia by GEFA) can help augment the financial resources currently available to fund the following types of water conservation and reuse projects:

Structural Measures (eligible when the equipment or facility is publicly-owned): installation of meters, plumbing retrofits (in government buildings), efficient irrigation equipment (public parks, golf courses), reuse of gray water (public purposes), reducing unnaccounted for water

Nonstructural Measures: use of incentive-based wastewater service charges, use of ordinances or regulations to conserve water, public education programs

www.gefa.orgwww.gefa.org

““You must be the change you wish You must be the change you wish to see in the world.to see in the world.””

- Mohandas Gandhi- Mohandas Gandhi