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Georgia Municipal Facts:
- Georgia is home to
159 counties.
- Seven counties are considered metropolitan and
35 suburban.
- Fifty percent of Georgia 's population lives in
only 40 counties in our state.
- While statewide population has
grown 110% since 1960, some areas of the state are losing populations.
According to the U.S. Census, population in 40 of Georgia's
159 counties are in decline. (Source: 2000 US Census data)
Reducing water use, waste, and loss can provide many benefits. These Georgia success stories are good examples:
Water conservation can reduce production
costs and taxes. Georgia's Clayton County Water Authority has saved $9.00 in reduced water production for every $1.00 invested in a water-conserving leak detection and repair program.
Water conservation can save water resources
for future generations. As population boomed and increasing groundwater withdrawals were causing saltwater contamination, the City of Savannah, reduced groundwater withdrawals 3.8 million gallons a day through a water-conserving, toilet rebate and educational program for city residents.
Water conservation can protect water quality
and the environment. Increasing surface water withdrawals
decreases stream flows. Lower stream flows are not able to wash
away waste and pollutants that threaten human and environmental
health. The Metro North Georgia Water Planning District's 11
conservation measures were adopted, in part, to help ensure stream
flows needed to assimilate waste.
Steps to Become a Water Conserving Community
Georgia is a culturally and socially diverse state. While no
two programs are exactly alike, there are several water conservation
measures a municipality can adopt to take steps toward a successful
water conservation program.
Water Loss Control - Leak Detection and Repair
Controlling water loss is an important factor for the efficient
management of water resources. Several methods for detecting and
reducing water loss from public and private water delivery systems
have recently been developed (AWWA 2003 and Thornton 2002). EPD
is currently reviewing this material and others to recommend the
most appropriate and effective way of calculating and controlling
water loss.
The American Water Works Association has recently launched a helpful website regarding water loss control. Visit the Water Loss Control Center at AWWA Water Wiser to learn more about new ideas and strategies for controlling municipal water loss.
Water Conservation Rate Structures
With population growth in the urban/suburban areas, increased water pollution, and declining aquifer and stream flow levels throughout Georgia, many water providers are turning to water conserving rate structures. Water conservation rate structures can help utilities and communities reduce water demands, as well as help meet revenue requirements. See Water conservation Rate Structures for more information.
Metering Water Use
Metering water usage is an important step in understanding how
water is used in a community. Studies indicate that water use decreases
when water meters are installed and the user is charged for the
services being used. "Free-riders" are those water
users who are tapped into the water system but are not contributing
to the operation and maintenance of the system. Couple metering
with an educational water conservation rate structure, and water
suppliers can vastly improve their ability to repay debt and provide
more efficient service to their customers.
Water Conservation Education and Outreach Programs
Education and outreach are central to encourage the conservation,
reuse, and efficient use of Georgia’s water resources. High
quality technical training for staff and educational opportunities
for the general public are very important aspects of sustaining
our water resources for current and future generations. While local
and state policies lead to institutional changes, educational programs
encourage shifts in personal and professional behaviors regarding
water use, waste, and loss.
Resources for Water Conservation Planning
Many local entities are actively pursuing water conservation initiatives.
Sound scientific and economic advice is available to assist local
governments, water providers, and regional planners conserve water.
National
Georgia
- Georgia
Water Wise Council. GWWC provides a variety of services,
including a speakers bureau to address many planning subjects.
- Pollution Prevention
Assistance Division. P²AD provides guidance to industrial,
institutional, commercial water users on efficient technologies
available to help save water and money. They also sponsor the
Water Use It Wisely conservation education initiative.
- Department of Community Affairs. DCA provides WaterFirst initiative to provide recognition to localities that are actively implementing all water resource management plans, including water conservation requirements.
- Georgia Conservancy conducted some national research to identify the critical components
of water conservation programs. The full report is available
on their website here.
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Information for this page was obtained from:
- AWWA. 2003. "AWWA Water Loss Control Committee Report: Applying Worldwide Best Management Practices in Water Loss Control." Journal AWWA. August 2003.
- Denion 2005. "City of Savannah – Water, the Lifeline
of the Community." Presentation at the AWWA Water conservation
Workshop. Feb. 17, 2005. Savannah, Georgia
- Jones, J. 2004. "Leak Detection at [Clayton County Water Authority] C.C.W.A." Presentation given to Metropolitan North GA Water Planning District. Dec. 9, 2004.
- North Georgia Metropolitan Water Planning District. 2003. Water Supply and Conservation Plan. www.northgeorgiawater.com
- Pearson, A. 2004. Athens-Clarke County Water Conservation Coordinator. Personal communication. Dec. 14, 2004.
- Thornton, J. 2002. Water Loss Control Manual. McGraw-Hill. New York. 526 pgs.
- U. S. Census 2000. Available online at:
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