Altamaha Region Technical Information

In support of the Regional Plan Update, separate technical memoranda were developed on water and wastewater forecasting.

Water and Wastewater Forecasting

Water and wastewater demand forecasts form the foundation for water planning in the Altamaha Region and serve as the basis for the selection of water management practices. Forecasts are summarized within Section 4 of the Regional Water Plan, but additional detail can be found in the Water and Wastewater Forecasting Technical Memorandum.

Over the next 40 years, the population in the Altamaha Region is projected to grow by 0.4%. Total water withdrawals by municipal, industrial, agricultural, and energy sectors are projected to increase by 15% (47 million gallons per day (MGD)) from 2020 to 2060. Total wastewater flows are projected to increase by 1.5% (1.7 MGD) over the same period.

Altamaha 2060 Water Demand

Resource Challenges

The Regional Water Plan compares the water and wastewater demand forecasts to the available resources to determine potential resource challenges the Region could face. This material is also summarized within Section 3 and 5 of the Regional Water Plan. Areas where future demands exceed the estimated capacity of the source have a potential challenge that may be addressed through water management practices. Potential water resource issues identified for the Altamaha Region include:

  • Over the next 40 years, forecasted surface water demands within the Altamaha Region may increase the potential surface water challenges (flow below 7Q10) at the locations of wastewater discharges. 
  • At the regional level, for modeled aquifers, no groundwater resource shortfalls are expected to occur in the Altamaha Region over the planning horizon.
  • Assimilative capacity assessments indicate the need for improved wastewater treatment in some facilities within the Altamaha, Oconee, and Suwannee river basins.
  • Addressing non-point sources of pollution and existing water quality impairments should be a part of addressing the region’s future needs.