On behalf of Georgia’s Regional Water Planning Councils, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) engaged two planning contractor teams to update the water demand forecasts that support the Regional Water Planning process.  The Councils will finalize updates to their Regional Water Plans in 2022, and the forecasts provide a technical foundation for those updates.  The forecasts that will support the next Regional water Plan updates will extend through 2060.

A draft Municipal Water Demand and Wastewater Flow Forecasting Methods Report has been prepared and is now available for public review and comment.  This draft report outlines the updated data sources used for this update of statewide forecasts, the methodology for performing the forecasts, the ongoing stakeholder review process, input received to date, and draft forecast results by water planning region.  Unlike past municipal forecasting efforts, County-level details regarding permitted water withdrawals and wastewater facilities are included in the draft report and will be presented to the Councils to inform their planning efforts.  Public comments are welcome on this draft forecast and report through Tuesday, January 19, 2021.  The draft report is available for download on the Georgia Water Planning website at: https://waterplanning.georgia.gov/municipal-water-use.  Comments may be emailed to [email protected].   

The updated water demand forecast for the energy sector has been finalized based on input from a stakeholder group comprised of representatives from Georgia’s major power companies.  It will inform the next Regional Water Plan updates, and is available on the Georgia Water Planning website at: https://waterplanning.georgia.gov/energy-water-use.

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact Jennifer Welte of Georgia EPD at [email protected] or (404) 463-1694.