Suwannee-Satilla 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 Suwannee-Satilla 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 Suwannee-Satilla Region is projected to grow by 4%, increasing the demands for surface water and groundwater and increasing the quantity of wastewater generated. Total water withdrawals by municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors are forecasted to increase by 23% (74 million gallons per day (MGD)) from 2020 to 2060. Total wastewater flows are projected to increase by 5% (3.4 MGD) over the same period.

Suwannee Satilla 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 challenges that may be addressed through water management practices. Potential water resource issues identified for the Suwannee-Satilla Region include:

  • Forecasted surface water demands within the region are projected, at times, to exceed the available resources at several locations in the Region (Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Charlton, Cook. Coffee, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, and Ware counties).
  • Regionally, there is sufficient groundwater to meet forecasted needs over the next 40 years.
  • Water quality conditions indicate the potential need for improved wastewater treatment within the Suwannee, Satilla, and St. Marys River basins.
  • Addressing non-point sources of pollution and existing water quality impairments will be a part of addressing the region’s future needs.