We Depend on Clean Water Daily!

1. Water Conservation Tools For Local Governments And CitizensGeorgia Department of Community AffairsOffice of Environmental Management

2. We Depend on Clean Water Daily! • 372 billion gallons/day in the U.S. • 5.8 billion gallons/day in Georgia • 2.7 billion gallons for: • public supply and private wells (47%) • agriculture (28%) • industrial activities (25%) • 3.1 billion gallons for: • electric power generation

3. How Much Water Does One Person Need? Every day, the average American uses about 150 gallons of water.

4. Georgia Water Sources • 80% of our water comes from surface water and 20% comes from ground water withdrawals. • In the Atlanta region, 85% comes from surface water withdrawals with more than half originating from the Chattahoochee River.

5. The Water Crisis • Continuing growth, development and population increases in many areas are straining existing water supplies • Local governments (and states) are competing for available water sources • Indoor and outdoor water conservation is not widely practiced in Georgia (declining rates)

6. Nature’s Boundaries Georgia Department of Community Affairs

7. Watershed Protection Provides: • A comprehensive land use planning and implementation process to protect rivers, streams, lakes and other waters; • A process to address the disruption of the natural drainage flows caused by development; and • A method to address wastewater discharges, storm water runoff, and nonpoint sources of pollution.

9. Drought in Georgia • Georgia’s most recent drought lasted from 1998-2002 • Equivalent loss of a year’s worth of rain in first three years’ rainfall • Surface water flows were greatly reduced • Reservoir storage was depleted • Groundwater was lowered, wells dried up • Soil moisture was low, crops were affected “State must develop a comprehensive water conservation plan” -EPDDrought Report

10. Drought in Georgia Web Page http://www.georgiadrought.org

11. 1998-2000 Drought Report Recommended • Water Conservation - State must develop comprehensive water conservation plan • Emergency Relief - State should provide emergency grants and loans to assist local governments • Water Supply - State must fund the implementation of the Water Supply Act of 1989 to build regional reservoirs

12. 1998-2000 Drought Report Recommended • Agricultural Water Use - State must develop an effective method to evaluate consumptive use of water for agricultural irrigation and implement a plan to reduce water use • State Water Plan - State must perform a detailed review of existing water policy and laws and develop a comprehensive state water plan

13. All Is Not Lost!!!Huge Gains Can Be Made Through Conservation Los Angeles, CA has maintained it’s water use at a constant level despite continued growth and development. Georgia and the Atlanta Metro Area can do the same!!!

14. Water ConservationWhy should We Do It?(more reasons than a drought) • Reduce personal water costs • Minimize the need for local governments to fund expensive reservoir, water treatment plant and pipeline projects • Help maintain sufficient water in streams, rivers and lakes for fishing, boating, swimming, protection of aquatic life and downstream users

15. Water ConservationWhere Do We Start? • Water has been cheap and plentiful. We need to stop taking it for granted! • Adopt a watershed mentality-everyone has a need for clean water. • In drought conditions, pay even more attention to how you are using water!

16. What you should be doing: Economize (reduce and reuse) Repair leaks Install water saving devices Reuse Water Observing water restrictions What your local government can/should be doing: Educating Promoting installation of water saving devices Enforcing water restrictions Implementing changes in System Management Basic components of a water conserving community

17. Install Water Saving Devices • When buying new appliances, look for water saving features such as load size selectors for washing machines and selectable wash cycles for dishwashers • Install low-flow toilets to save up to 5.5 gallons of water with each flush. Ultra low-flow (1.6 gpf) are required for new construction or remodeling

18. Install Water Saving Devices • Install faucet aerators to significantly reduce water use (.8 gpm savings~$2.00) • Install low-flow showerheads or flow regulators in your existing shower (1.25 gpm savings~$5.00) • Install water displacement devices such as milk jugs, bags or dams in toilet tanks (up to 2.5 gpf~$0.59 or $4.00) • Install fill cycle diverters to redirect refill water into the tank. (.5-1.0 gpf~$0.50)

19. Reuse Water • Unused or slightly used water (gray water) is often suitable for other uses, but local restrictions may apply. • Make the most of any water before you let it go down the drain • Air conditioner and dehumidifier condensate water can be collected or redirected to water outside plants

20. Other Ideas • Look for water conservation initiatives in your area • Support teaching of the EPA Water Sourcebook Series in schools, as promoted by the Georgia Water Wise Council • Patronize businesses that practice and promote water conservation

21. Getting The Word Out • Community and special websites • Public service announcements (PSAs) on radio and television stations (Ross King with the GA Water Management Campaign (404) 522-5022) • Newpaper notices and articles • Public meetings and presentations • Brochures and other handouts • Mailouts in water bills • Door Hangers

22. Changes in System Management • Incentive-based pricing (increase price with demand, summer surcharges, etc.) • Universal Metering (a meter for each unit in an apartment or housing complex) • Pressure Management • Water Accounting and Loss Control • Water-Use Regulation, i.e. restrictions *The Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) can lend technical assistance in these areas: Judy Adler (404) 657-7444

23. State ActionsWater Restrictions When water restrictions are in effect: • EPD's intent is to curtail water use by residential and business water users • Local water utilities may expand the ban For the most current water restrictions: • check out http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/caes/drought/ • or call EPD at (404) 657-5947, (888) 373-5947 (outside Atlanta)

24. State Actions • Water Conservation Plans are required from water users that: • have groundwater withdrawal permits (or permit modifications)in excess of 100,000 gallons per day (except ag.) • have surface water withdrawal permits (or permit modifications) in excess of 100,000 a day (except ag.). • Creation of a new water conservation position at the DNR to coordinate efforts and expedite action on a state drought management plan.

25. State Actions(as recommended in Water Issues White Paper) • Amendment of the Water Supply Act to make water conservation projects eligible for funding through the State Revolving Fund • Provision of tax incentives for water -conserving investments. • Prohibit use of water from a regional reservoir until the local government has demonstrated an effective water conservation program, including water conservation pricing.

26. State Government Resources • Department of Community Affairs (DCA) • Provides resources and technical assistance to local governments and Keep America Beautiful Affiliates that want to promote water conservation among residents. (404) 679-4940 www.dca.state.ga.us • Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) • Assist industrial, commercial and institutional water users with their water efficiency efforts (404) 651-5120, www.p2ad.org • Environmental Protection Division (EPD) • Regulate water use among the various water consumers in the state, including discharge permits and withdrawal permits. • Plan water supply and drought management for the state. (Drought Report, Water Issues White Paper) • (404) 657-5847, www.dnr.state.ga.us/environ

27. More Helpful Information • Water Conservation Devices • http://www.niagaraconservation.com/ (Niagara Conservation) • http://www.nrgsavers.com/products.htm (NRG Savers) • Water Conserving Communities in Georgia • Savannah Water Efficiency Program http://www.thempc.com/waterresources/welcome.asp • Georgia Water Wise Council - info on xeriscaping, water efficiency, water sourcebook, etc. http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/waterwise/wwc.htm • Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority http://www.watersmart.net/ • Other States • California Urban Water Conservation Council http://www.cuwcc.org/

28. More Helpful Information • Other States, cont. • Crescenta Valley Water District toilet rebate program http://www.cvwd.com/pages/sites.htm • City of Albequerque http://www.cabq.gov/waterconservation/insert.html • Drought in Georgia • http://www.georgiadrought.org

29. Acknowledgements This presentation was prepared by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, using information available from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Georgia DNR Environmental Protection Division and Pollution Prevention Assistance Division, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, City of Griffin, UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Georgia Water Wise Council, Georgia Conservancy and Niagara Conservation Co.