What is happening with Water Conservation in Georgia

1. Water Conservation in GeorgiaWater Conservation in Georgia
2010: A BIG YEAR2010: A BIG YEAR
Alice Miller Keyes
GA Environmental Protection Division
Watershed Protection Branch

3. Water Conservation in Georgia
 The beneficial reduction in water
waste, water loss and water use
 Many Benefits:
– Protect river flows and aquifer levels
– Extend the life of existing supplies
– Demonstrate responsible use of shared
waters
The ultimate goal of water conservation is
not to prevent water use, but to maximize
each gallon of water used (WCIP 2010)
The ultimate goal of water conservation is
not to prevent water use, but to maximize
each gallon of water used (WCIP 2010)

4. Extreme DroughtExtreme Drought

5.  The State Water Plan
identifies WC as a priority
water quantity
management practice
(SWP Sec. 7, Policy 3)
 While WC is not expected
to fully meet water needs,
it is an effective and
efficient practice for all
water users (SWP Sec. 8,
Policy 1)
Statewide Water Management PlanStatewide Water Management Plan

6. Lake Lanier RulingLake Lanier Ruling
 Judge Magnuson’s ruling
– water supply was not originally authorized purpose of
Lanier
– Current supply use exceeds Army Corps authority
– Restricts future water use (2012)
 Governor’s Water
Contingency
Task Force

7. 2010
A Big
Year!
Lanier
Ruling
State
Water Plan
DROUGH
T

8. 2010 – The Big Year for Conservation
in Georgia
Water Conservation Implementation Plan
Water Stewardship Act of 2010
Regional planning for conservation priority

9. Water Conservation Implementation PlanWater Conservation Implementation Plan
 The WCIP creates a common
vision for water conservation
 Called for through Executive
Orders and Statewide Water
Management Plan
 Can be used by
organizations, agencies,
water user sectors, regional
water planning councils and
individual water users

10. WCIP
 The WCIP is not regulation, but a resource for all
Georgia water users.
 Includes sector specific goals, benchmarks,
practices, and implementation actions for:
– Agricultural Water Use,
– Electric Generation,
– Golf Course Water Use,
– Industrial and Commercial,
– Landscape,
– Public water providers, and
– State agencies.

11. WCIP
 The WCIP can be found through :
www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net or
www.GeorgiaWaterPlanning.org

12. Water Stewardship Act of 2010Water Stewardship Act of 2010
 WSA was enacted by 2010 General Assembly
 Reaffirms “the imminent need to create a culture of
water conservation in the State of Georgia”
 Based on recommendations of Water Contingency
Task force and supported by details of the WCIP

13. Report available online :
www.gaepd.org - What’s New
Report available online :
www.gaepd.org - What’s New
WSA - Key ProvisionsWSA - Key Provisions
1) Requires state agencies to
inventory and enhance
policies and programs that
encourage conservation.
2) Mandates medium and
large public water systems
to conduct annual water
audits and follow leak
abatement BMPs

14. Key Provisions of the WSA (cont)Key Provisions of the WSA (cont)
3) Revises state construction standards for buildings
constructed after July 2012
– High efficiency plumbing fixtures (toilets, showerheads and urinals)
– Sub-metering for multi-unit buildings
– High efficiency cooling towers for commercial and industrial
4) Modifies authorities to restrict
outdoor water use and establishes
a schedule for outdoor irrigation
5) Calls for amendments to permitting
system for farm water use

15. Regional Practices to Manage DemandRegional Practices to Manage Demand
• The SWP identifies WC as a priority water quantity
management practice
• Each Council is expected to include demand
management in their regional water plan

16. Regional Planning GuidanceRegional Planning Guidance
• Guidance issued to Councils
to:
• Establish a common starting
point for considering demand
management practices
• Ensure practices reflect
current rules as well as
amended rules expected
following the SWP and the
WSA, and
• Provide flexibility to Councils
to adapt practices to the
specifics of each region

17. Regional Planning – A Tiered StructureRegional Planning – A Tiered Structure
 Tier ONE practices – mandatory through rules or
law (permittees)
 Tier TWO practices – options addressed through
rule (permittees)
 Tier THREE practices – optional, basic
(permittees and others)
 Tier FOUR practices – beyond basic to help “close
the gap” (permittees and others)

18. Regional Planning – A Tiered Structure (cont)Regional Planning – A Tiered Structure (cont)

19. Regional Conservation Assessment ProcessRegional Conservation Assessment Process
 Practices are not limited to those in the Worksheets
 Many Councils have begun evaluation
 Guidance, not a prescriptive methodology
– Councils and their Contractors should use tools available
– Final process, inputs, outputs and results will be
documented in a technical memorandum that
supplements the regional plans
Available onlineAvailable online
www.GeorgiaWaterPlanning.orgwww.GeorgiaWaterPlanning.org
under Technical Guidance/Regionalunder Technical Guidance/Regional
Planning GuidancePlanning Guidance

20. 2010 – 2011 – Another Big Year?!
Regional Water Planning Councils conservation assessments
Metro North GA Water Planning District Updated practices
Updated Rules for water conservation
Water loss audits and assistance programs
Education and Outreach

21. Metro Atlanta CommunitiesMetro Atlanta Communities
 Amend MNGWPD plans to include add’t practices
for counties affected by judge’s ruling
 Add’t practices for 6 counties include:
 Maintain a water conservation program
– Dedicated staff
– Dedicated Funding
 Expedite the Goal for Reducing Non-
Revenue Water
 Multi-family toilet rebate program
 Retrofit on Reconnect
 Install meters with point of use leak detection
 Require private fire lines to be metered

22. Metro Atlanta Communities (cont)Metro Atlanta Communities (cont)
 Additional practices for all 15 counties in District
– Water Waste Policy or Ordinance
– WaterSense New Homes
 Working on Metro Atlanta specific guidance on the outdoor
portion.
 Southface working as a License and Certification Provider.
 Minimum program - incentivize this program.
 Possibility to require all new single-family homes meet the
WaterSense New Homes Criteria.

23. Upcoming Amended WC RulesUpcoming Amended WC Rules
 Per the WSA and the SWP, DNR is to amend rules
related to conservation and water loss.
 Amended rules will likely be
coordinated and include:
 Progress toward water efficiency
for water withdrawal permits (SWP)
 Annually report information on
water efficiency (SWP)
 Annually submit water system audits (WSA)
 Likely to occur in December or early 2011

24. Water Loss Control and AssistanceWater Loss Control and Assistance
 New water loss control requirements:
1. Minimum standards for improving the efficiency
of public water systems, and
2. Implementation of Best practices program:
 Establishment of an infrastructure leakage index
 A phased in approach to
– conduct standardized annual water loss audits according
to the IWA water audit method
– Implement water loss detection programs
 A technical assistance program to guide
water systems water audits and loss progs

25. Education and OutreachEducation and Outreach
www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.ne
t
waterSmart is an education program designed to help residents
statewide understand how to maintain their landscapes while
using less water.

26. 1. Water efficiently
2. Put the “right” plants in the “right” places
3. Add organic matter
4. Mulch
5. Collect water from alternative sources
6. Know the rules
WaterSmart TipsWaterSmart Tips

27.  Brochures and flyers
 Video public service
announcements
 Homeowner workshop
 Media Relations/Landscape
Challenge
 Drought in Georgia – a unit for 6th
grade teachers
 Upcoming “YardStick” for
certifying waterSmart
landscapes
WaterSmart Tools

28. Thank You! Questions?
Alice Miller Keyes
Georgia EPD
Watershed Protection
Branch
912-262-3185
Alice.Keyes@dnr.state.ga.us
www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.netwww.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net