Regional Water Planning Council Orientation

GA Water Planning Logo with lines
GWPPC and Georgia DNR Logos

 

State Water Plan 

Georgia’s future relies on the sustainable management and protection of the state’s limited water supplies. The 2004 Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act mandated the development of a state-wide water plan that supports a far-reaching vision for water resource management.

Welcome Video: Mark Masters, Director Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center, Albany State University

Over Two Decades of State Water Planning

Over Two Decades of State Water Planning
Over Two Decades of State Water Planning

Enabling legislation has been important

SWP adopted by resolution of General Ass signed by the Gov. 

Statutory differences: Councils and Metro Districts

Note: MD now doing 1 plan versus multiple

 

Policy Statement

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

Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Planning Act (2004)

Water Resources in Georgia: Surface Water

Surface Water Resources Map of Georgia

Georgia Surface Water Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Resources in Georgia: Groundwater Aquifers

Groundwater Aquifers Map of Georgia

Groundwater Aquifers Map of Georgia

Water Planning Regions Map

Regional Water Planning Regions Map

highlights-regional-water-planning-regions-map.png

 

Regional Water Planning Process

Here's a high-level view first and then we will go into more detail on some components in the next slides. 

Councils guide process with EPD support and feedback. It begins with the vision and goals, which reflect the CSWPA policy statement from the earlier slide.

Then two products from EPD provide technical foundations for the plan. Resource Assessments results indicate whether resources have the capacity to meet demand as well as the vision and goals. They also assess where there are shortfalls and what management practices are needed. Councils then assess and revise management practices. The guide includes the vision and goals, management practices, plus feedback on the technical pieces from EPD. Those are the main components. The others will be discussed during plan revision (ex: recommendations to state).

Water Planning Process

 

Major Components of Regional Plans - Water Resource Assessments

Second building block of sustainable management: Evaluation of the resource and its capacity to meet projected demand

Groundwater: estimated range of SY for groundwater sources

Surface Water: capacity of surface water resources to 1) meet water supply needs for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and thermoelectric power use; 2) flow available to assimilate projected wastewater

Water Quality: capacity of Georgia’s surface waters to accommodate pollutants without unacceptable degradation of water quality, i.e., without exceeding state water quality standards or harming aquatic life. Example: Dissolved Oxygen.

The assessment also looks at capacity to meet Demand for assimilation of treated wastewater. These are modeled assessments that are evaluated for current and future conditions to identify any shortfalls.

Water Resource Assessments; Three modeled evaluations: Groundwater Availability, Surface Water Availability, Surface Water Quality based on water resource boundaries. Results indicate current and future availability.

 

Planning Information Compilation and Evaluation

Planning council members bring perspectives of local governments, water users, and other water-related interests.

Public input: includes local governments, other state or federal agencies and the general public provide input during the planning process.

Public Participation can build support and results in better decisions. Includes: Open meetings, Web posted documents and reports, and Direct Solicitation of public input

 

Approved Regional Plan

Submit recommended plan to EPD for approval. 

Public Participation can build support and results in better decisions. Includes: Open meetings, Web posted documents and reports, and Direct Solicitation of public input

The plans are used in EPD and GEFA agency-decision making processes. 

Also provides early-warning info and management recommendations for permit holders and other implementers re: environmental management and meeting demand in ways that support economic development.

 

 

 

Georgia Water Planning Website

Georgia Water Planning Website

  • Short video overview
  • State Water Plan
  • Forecast dashboard
  • Resource assessments
  • Regional water plans
  • Upcoming and past meetings

waterplanning.georgia.gov

Georgia Water Planning Website Home page

 

Plan Revision Process

Georgia’s future relies on the sustainable management and protection of the state’s limited water supplies. The 2004 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. The plan 

Regional Water Planning Guidance

The Regional Water Planning Guidance provides details for regional planning councils to use while preparing regional water plans. EPD may periodically update this document and/or issue supplemental guidance to ensure the regional Water Planning Councils have the necessary information.

Currently, state and federal statutes form the foundation for Georgia’s water management programs. The goals of the Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act are aligned with the collective goals of other statutes related to water resource management. Two goals that resonate throughout federal and state statutes can be summed up as:

  • Protect public health and environmental quality; and
  • Meet future needs while protecting aquifers, instream uses and downstream users.

Georgia EPD

Georgia EPD

•Provide liaison to Council

•Ensure consistency with the State Water Plan

•Maintain schedule and budget for plan revision

Other Participants

Regional planning contractors

  • Provide technical and planning support to Council
  • Prepare Plan following Council guidance

Local governments, other agencies, general public

  • Provide input during planning process

Other water planning councils 

  • Coordinate on plan provisions for shared water resources

Steps in the Review and Revision of the Regional Water Plan

Steps in the Review and Revision of the Regional Water Plan. Georgia EPD provides forecasts of demand and resources assessments. These are evaluated to find shortfalls and make sure that the Vision and Goals are being met. This is followed by making sure the management practices are adjusted for demand and resource capacity. All of these steps result in a recommended Regional Water Plan

 

The above graphic shows the steps in the Review and Revision of the Regional Water Plan. Georgia EPD provides forecasts of demand and resources assessments. The assessments are evaluated to find shortfalls and make sure that the Vision and Goals are being met. This is followed by making sure the management practices are adjusted for demand and resource capacity. All of these steps result in a recommended Regional Water Plan.

Regional Water Plan Revision Cycle

Regional Water Plan Revision Cycle. It begins with Recon and information gathering period. Most intensive work is during boxes two-four, which includes the technical products for review, council deliberations, and revision of plan contents. This is followed by EPD and public review period, and finally resulting in final 2028 plan.

 

Regional Water Plan Revision Cycle. It begins with Recon and information gathering period. Most intensive work is during boxes two-four, which includes the technical products for review, council deliberations, and revision of plan contents. This is followed by EPD and public review period, and finally resulting in final 2028 plan. There will be considerable interaction with EPD and its contractors at the beginning with population projections to get final population projects spring 2026, Fall 2026 will include demand forecasts and Resource Assessments. There will be concurrent work on revisions to each section. Early spring 2028 is the target for draft adopted plan ready for review. The final plans should be submitted to EPD by June 2028.