Regional Water Council Planning Update Dargan “Scott” Cole Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C. 191 Peachtree Street, Suite 2900 Atlanta, Georgia Phone:

Background 2004: The Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act mandates the development of a state-wide water plan that supports a far- reaching vision for water resource management: "Georgia manages water resources in a sustainable manner to support the state’s economy, to protect public health and natural systems, and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens" (O.C.G.A (a)). 2008: General Assembly Adopts the Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan (State Water Plan) and solicits nominations to Regional Planning Councils. 2009: Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources initiates the Regional Water Planning Process.

Regional Water Planning Councils The Regional Water Planning Councils are charged with developing a recommended Water Development and Conservation Plan for their Region for submittal to EPD by January 31, 2011.

Water Development and Conservation Plan Elements 1.Introduction 2.The XYZ Water Planning Region 3.Water Resources of the XYZ Planning Region 4.Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs 5.Comparison of Available Water Resource Capabilities and Future Needs 6.Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals 7.Implementing Water Management Practices 8.Monitoring and Reporting

Responsibilities: EPD and its contractors will: –Compile a set of water resource assessments which define the capabilities of the region’s water resources in terms of water supply and capacity to assimilate pollution, –Assist the Regional Water Planning Councils to forecast the needs for water supply and assimilative capacity within each region, and –Participate with the Regional Water Planning Councils in developing a Water Development and Conservation Plan for each region.

Responsibilities: The Regional Water Planning Councils will: –Assist EPD and its contractors to forecast the needs for water supply and assimilative capacity within each region, –Identify management practices to be employed to ensure that the forecasted regional water and wastewater needs can be met without exceeding capabilities, and –Participate with EPD and its contractors in developing a Water Development and Conservation Plan for each region.

What does this mean for my County? Once adopted the Regional Water Development and Conservation Plans: –Will be implemented by the water users in the water planning region, and –EPD will make water permitting decisions based upon the plans.

Progress to Date: Water Demand Forecast Water Demand Forecasts (water and wastewater) –Population Projections updated March 12, 2010 –Draft water demands for municipal, industrial, and agriculture uses have been developed –Presented at council meeting #5 –Energy water use forecasts are still in preparation –Based on feedback, planning contractors will finalize the forecasts Base Year Per Capita Water Demand Future Population Future Water Need Region Specific Factors

Progress to Date: Water Resource Assessments Resource Assessments completed for “existing” conditions –Surface Water Quantity –Groundwater Quantity –Surface Water Quality Draft synopsis reports are available on the State Water Planning web site:

Progress to Date: Water Resource Assessments Resource Assessments for “existing” conditions: –Surface Water Quantity: Water demand (off stream needs) and Flow Regime (instream needs) can be fully met by available water resources. –Groundwater: The sustainable yield of the Upper Floridan, Cretaceous, and Crystalline rock Aquifers are greater than existing withdrawals. However, it may be difficult to get sustainable yields from the Crystalline Rock in the Piedmont.

Progress to Date: Water Resource Assessments Water Quality: Most streams have additional assimilative capacity available, however, there are streams with limitations. Nutrient loadings to the lakes will need to be addressed.

Identification of Gaps (Related to groundwater availability, surface water availability, and assimilative capacity.)

Management Practices To “close” the gaps, region-specific Management Practices will be selected by the Regional Water Planning Councils for implementation by the water users in the region and for use by EPD in water permitting decisions.

Examples of Water Supply Measures: Public Education Conservation (a priority management practice) Reservoir Desalination Interconnection Reuse Return flows Growth Strategies/Ordinance Note: for illustrative purposes only, not a complete list.

Examples of Water Quality Measures: Point Source Examples – –Wastewater Treatment Facilities –Septic systems –Secondary Treatment Technologies and Land Application –Advanced Treatment Technologies –Reuse Note: For illustrative purposes only, not a complete list.

Examples of Water Quality Measures: Non-point Source Examples - Watershed Protection and Monitoring Growth Strategies Stream Protection Program River Corridor Protection Conservation Zoning Septic Tank Maintenance Erosion and Sedimentation Control Livestock Access Limitations Public Education

Regional Water Planning: Work Flow CM3 Vision Synthesis 2050 Planning Horizon

Next Steps 1. Finalize Water Demand Forecasts 2. Complete Resource Assessments for Future Conditions 3. Identify Management Practices to Meet Demands 4. Develop Regional Water Development and Conservation Plan

We are here. Planning Schedule

How can you participate? GA EPD is accepting public comments on the Draft Resource Assessments through mid-May: DraftWaterResourceAssessmentsforReviewandComment.phphttp:// DraftWaterResourceAssessmentsforReviewandComment.php Encourage your elected officials and water professionals to review the resource assessments and communicate with the Regional Water Council members regarding the adoption of Management Practices. If you know of a local government, utility or non-profit water resource plan that would help inform the development of the WDCP, forward them to your Regional Council. Examples would include: Water Supply or Wastewater Master Plans Rate Studies Watershed Management or Protection Plans Stormwater Management Plans (MS4 SWMPs)

Acknowledgement I want to thank the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for its assistance in preparing this presentation. It provided several of its standard PowerPoint slides for incorporation into this program. Thank you.

Questions & Answers Dargan “Scott” Cole Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C. 191 Peachtree Street, Suite 2900 Atlanta, Georgia Phone: