# Georgia Water/Water Policy/Issues/Background

* Water Policy
* Management
* Information
* Planning
* Statewide Plan
* Regional Plans
* References
Chapter 2. Water Resources Policy in Georgia
       2.5.1. Background -- Identifying the Issues

### Timeline of Issues Identification
#### 1999 - ACCG/GMA Joint Task Force on Water Resource Policy

* The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) published their ACCG-GMA Joint Task Force on Water Resource Policy report, Georgia Water Resource Policy - A Call for Action] in December, 1999. The report listed four key needs to:
      * Clearly state a comprehensive water management strategy,
      * Refine Georgia's water allocation policies,
      * Encourage multi-jurisdictional water management on a regional/watershed basis,
      * Coordinate water and land use planning and management.

#### 2001 - Georgia Board of Natural Resources

* The Georgia Board of Natural Resources prepared the Water Issues White Paper(May, 2001) which provided a summary of current water law in Georgia and "identified fifteen specific water issues and solutions which are recommended for consideration by the Joint Study Comittee for inclusion in the Comprehensive Water Plan."
      * Interbasin water transfers
      * Allocation of state water to private entities for resale
      * Improve allocation of water for agricultural use
      * Statewide water conservation
      * Interim instream flow protection strategy
      * Priorities for water use during drought
      * Privately owned public water systems
      * Assure a reliable and adequate water supply in growth areas with water supply reservoirs
      * Real-time water management
      * Water quality monitoring
      * Attain water quality standards
      * Assure wastewater capacity in growth areas
      * Develop and implement erosion and sedimentation control improvements
      * Public information and involvement
      * Improve old water and sewer infrastructure

#### 2002 - Joint Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee

* The Final Report of the Georgia Water/Joint Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee of the Georgia General Assembly listed 42 water issues needing review and possible revision of policy.
       1. Wastewater Capacity in Growth Areas
       2. Improvement of Old Water and Sewer Infrastructure
       3. Attaining Water Quality Standards/TMDLs
       4. Cost-Effective Stormwater Solutions
       5. Septic Tank Installation and Maintenance
       6. Protection and Management of Georgia’s Aquifer Recharge Areas
       7. Source Water Assessment/Protection
       8. Protection, Conservation and Restoration of Wetlands, Marshlands, and other Aquatic Ecosystems
       9. Water as a Public Resource versus a Market Commodity
       10. Allocating/Reallocating Water among Users
       11. Allocation of State Water to Private Entities for Resale
       12. Legal Status of Water Withdrawals, Permits and Transfers
       13. Legal Status of the Water in Aquifers while in the Ground and Following Withdrawal
       14. Interbasin Water Transfer and Basin-of-Origin Protection
       15. Water for Agricultural Use
       16. Statewide Water Conservation and Efficiency
       17. Water Reuse
       18. Consumptive Use Measurement and Reduction
       19. Instream Flow Protection Standards and Strategy
       20. Priorities for Water Use during Drought
       21. Irrigation Efficiency and Research
       22. Overdraft of the Floridan Aquifer/Salt Water Intrusion
       23. Water Supply Reservoirs
       24. Aquifer Storage and Recovery
       25. Flood Mitigation, Floodplain Management, and Dam Safety
       26. Lake Protection and Management
       27. Development/Implementation of Erosion and Sedimentation Control Improvements
       28. State and Substate/Regional Water Management Options
       29. Privately Owned Public Water Systems
       30. Interstate Water Issues
       31. Real-Time Water Management
       32. Water Management with Increased Variation in Weather Patterns
       33. Interagency Coordination
       34. Enforcement
       35. Water Quality, Quantity, and Biotic Integrity Monitoring
       36. Data Management Systems
       37. Public Information and Involvement
       38. Statewide Watershed Management and Assessment Information/Standards
       39. Increase Funding and Personnel for Water Resources Administration, Including Monitoring
       40. Availability and Use of Federal Funding for Water-Related Activities
       41. Water for Energy Production Systems
       42. Water Security

#### 2005 - Georgia Water Resources Conference

* Five panels were scheduled for the 2005 Georgia Water Resources Conference, held April 25-27, 2005, to discuss issues related to the Georgia Comprehensive Statewide Water Resources Management Plan.
      * Water Quantity Allocation
      * Instream Flow Protection
      * Ground Water Level Protection
      * Water Quality (TMDL) Allocation
      * Water Conservation/Efficiency/Reuse