Experts Criticize Atlanta Water Plans

Metro Atlanta’s is planning to meet its water needs for the next 30 years. Experts don't think they're doing a good job. The plan includes:

• More dependence on Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona.
• Building six small reservoirs
• Two relatively small new water-conservation efforts

Apart from that, the plan just rehashes current policies:

• Increased rates for water usage
• Multifamily buildings to install water meters for each unit
• Reducing water leaks from publicly owned pipes
• Conducting residential and commercial water audits

Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, an Oakland, Calif.-based research group specializing in water, called the proposed water conservation measures “modest and slow when we’re in a situation where aggressive and fast is called for.”

Gleick pointed out that metro Atlanta’s per-capita indoor water use — 69 gallons a day in single-family homes — is at least several gallons higher than many Western cities where water scarcity has always been a concern. The ideal, water-conserving home uses 45 gallons a day, he said.

Planned New Reservoirs

North Georgia plans to build six new reservoirs through 2035, at an estimated cost of $394 million. Two of them are right here in Hall County:

• Glades Reservoir in Hall County: 6.4 million gallons per day
• Bear Creek Reservoir in south Fulton County: 15 million gallons per day
• Richland Creek Reservoir in Paulding County: 35 million gallons per day
• Etowah Reservoir, under consideration by Fulton County: 30 million gallons a day
• Ocmulgee Reservoir, under consideration by the Henry County: 13 million gallons per day
• Cedar Creek Reservoir in Gainesville and Hall County: 9 million gallons per day