MATRIX ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS PROPOSALS FOR THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO FUTURE DROUGHTS IN GEORGIA: SCIENTIFIC, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL SOLUTIONS TO DROUGHT PROOF GEORGIA HOLLABAUGH, Curtis L. Geosciences University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA 30118, 2/6/20161SEGSA 2009

2/6/2016SEGSA What is a drought? “What is Drought? Drought is defined as a period of insufficient rainfall for normal plant growth, which begins when soil moisture is so diminished that vegetation roots cannot absorb enough water to replace that lost by transpiration.”

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2/6/2016SEGSA /6/20164 DROUGHT IN GEORGIA Next slide

2/6/2016SEGSA Lake Lanier

2/6/2016SEGSA Start of drought No end in sight

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2/6/2016SEGSA Lake Allatoona Georgia Geological Society Field Trip October 14, 2007

2/6/2016SEGSA /6/2016SEGSA inches of rain in 3 days 1.28 inches of rain 4.29 inches of rain

2/6/2016SEGSA /6/2016SEGSA Start of drought No end in sight 2 inches of rain 4.48 inches of rain in 3 days 1.2 inches of rain

Federal appeals court 2/6/201611SEGSA 2009 “Georgia loses Lake Lanier appeal” “Georgia loses Lake Lanier appeal February 5, 2008 at 12:49 pm by Thomas Wheatley in News From the Associated Press:Thomas WheatleyNews From the Associated Press “WASHINGTON (AP) A federal appeals court has thrown out an agreement that Georgia reached with the Army Corps of Engineers for water rights to Lake Lanier, handing Alabama and Florida a major victory in the states’ years-long water wars. The agreement, which would give Georgia about a quarter of the lake’s capacity over the coming decades for drinking water, is the foundation of Georgia’s long-term plans.” gia-loses-lake-lanier-appeal/

U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court declines ‘water wars’ case January 12, 2009 at 1:51 pm by Thomas Wheatley in News “Jetski enthusiasts, bass fishermen and bass were shocked — shocked! — Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court said it wouldn’t consider the decades-old legal war between Georgia, Florida and Alabama about how those three states share water from Lake Lanier.Thomas WheatleyNews The court’s decision raises fundamental questions about Georgia’s rights to Lake Lanier, a huge federal reservoir outside Atlanta that serves as the city’s main water source. It could also play a key role in deciding related water-rights disputes in lower courts. Monday’s decision involves a 2003 water-sharing agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers that would have allowed Georgia to take far more water from Lanier for its drinking supply over the coming decades. The deal would have allowed Georgia’s withdrawals to jump from about 13 percent of the lake’s capacity to about 22 percent. Florida and Alabama contested the pact, arguing that larger withdrawals would cripple downstream flows into their states. They said the lake was initially built for hydropower and providing water to Georgia was not an authorized use.” declines-water-wars-case/ 2/6/2016SEGSA

U.S. Supreme Court And now Lake Lanier is the primary source of drinking water for metro Atlanta! Yikes. Gov. Sonny Perdue! Sir, what’s your take on this? “While we are disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision today to not correct a flawed ruling by the D.C. Circuit, it is important to remember that this decision simply maintains the status quo in terms of the operation of Lake Lanier by the Army Corps of Engineers. We felt strongly that Supreme Court review of this case could have resolved a major piece of our ongoing water negotiations, and we will now move forward continuing to work with our neighbors and other stakeholders to reach consensus on a plan that fairly shares our limited resources and adequately protects the headwaters of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin.” supreme-court-declines-water-wars-case/ 2/6/2016SEGSA

U.S. Supreme Court UPDATE: After the jump, view Florida Gov. Charlie “Tan- tastic” Crist’s statement on the matter.“Tan- tastic” “I join the people and businesses of Florida who rely on a healthy Apalachicola Bay in applauding today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court. This action will allow Florida to continue our efforts to help protect the adequate flow of freshwater in the Apalachicola River.” “After nearly 20 years of legal discussions, today’s decision should provide the framework needed for resolution of this matter. I look forward to working with Governors Perdue and Riley in continuing our work to address the water issues facing our states.” s-supreme-court-declines-water-wars-case/ 2/6/2016SEGSA

Political Tri-states – agreement to fill Lake Lanier whenever possible Based on successful efforts at conservation, improvements in water quality, success in sustainable groundwater, turning treated sewage into drinking water and rainwater harvesting 2/6/2016SEGSA

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2/6/2016SEGSA Deviation from Normal ( ) 2007

2/6/2016SEGSA Deviation from Normal ( ) 2008

2/6/2016SEGSA Precipitation [inches] Jan-1 to Mar-8 Deviation from Normal ( ) 2009

VARIOUS PROPOSALS 1) Mandatory outdoor water restrictions – water conservation, rainwater harvesting, private wells, recycle (2) Redefinition of Lakes Lanier and Allatoona as drinking water reservoirs and build regional reservoirs (3) Sewage into drinking water – Clayton County to metro Atlanta (4) Drilling well fields coupled with sustainable groundwater (5) Redefinition of West Point Lake as the principle lake to maintain flow in the lower Chattahoochee River (6) Updating of sewage treatment so that more and cleaner treated sewage is discharged into Georgia streams (7) Systems of lakes and aqueducts linking Athens and Atlanta to Tennessee River and the Savannah River at Augusta (willing buyer and willing seller exist) 2/6/201621SEGSA 2009

VARIOUS PROPOSALS Stimulus package - $16 billion for local Clean Water and drinking water infrastructure $6 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds $2 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds 2/6/2016SEGSA

VARIOUS PROPOSALS Water efficiency Metro Atlanta could save MGD ~ = to a new Lake Lanier Metro Atlanta gets ~ 178 MGD from Lake Lanier Meter all users Retrofit buildings and replace outdated appliances & fixtures 2/6/2016SEGSA

VARIOUS PROPOSALS Tie-in high yield private wells (usage during drought, emergency, fire) to public system Usage of gray water Long-term plan for future generations Progressive fees for water consumption Leak detection 2/6/2016SEGSA

VARIOUS PROPOSALS – American Rivers Hidden Reservoir report, Metro Atlanta: 652 MGD for 4 million people Water efficiency could save MGD Save $300 to $700 million versus building new reservoirs Eliminate need for four planned reservoirs 2/6/2016SEGSA

Water Efficiency Stop leaks – 14% lost Price water right Meter all water Retrofit buildings Landscape to limit waste Public education Build smart 2/6/2016SEGSA

MATRIX ANALYSIS - Political Possible solutions – top row What Georgia Wants – second row What Florida Wants Georgia to do – third row What Alabama Wants Georgia to do – forth row This is the political matrix. Science and economics and environment are subservient to the political will 2/6/2016SEGSA

MATRIX ANALYSIS - Economic Possible solutions – top row What Georgia Wants – second row What Florida Wants Georgia to do – third row What Alabama Wants Georgia to do – forth row This is the economic matrix. Science and politics and environment are subservient to the political will 2/6/2016SEGSA

MATRIX ANALYSIS - Science Possible solutions – top row What Georgia Wants – determined by science What Florida Wants – determined by science What Alabama Wants – determined by science Georgia, Florida, and Alabama all let the science determine This is the science matrix. Science and environmental are one in the same; political and economic are considered but are subservient 2/6/2016SEGSA

MATRIX ANALYSIS - Political State Conservation Lanier Drinking Water Lake Sewage Drinking Water Well Fields Redefine West Point Lake Cleaner treated sewage Aqueducts Georgia5 – Yuk 1 to 10 5 (only if Lanier is drinking water) What we send you is fine 1 to 10 $ Florida10Hell No!1050 Fat chance Alabama10Hell No!1050 We will sell you back some of your water 2/6/201630SEGSA 2009

2/6/2016SEGSA MATRIX ANALYSIS - Political State Progressive Consumption Pricing Leak * Detection, etc. Low Flow, etc Public Private Tie-in Other Georgia ? Florida10 ? Alabama10 ? 2/6/201631SEGSA 2009 * Water leaks can lose 25-40% 2005 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. American Society of Civil Engineers

2/6/2016SEGSA MATRIX ANALYSIS Conservation Lanier Drinking Water Lake Sewage Drinking Water Well Fields Redefine West Point Lake Cleaner Treated Sewage Aqueducts Georgia5 – Yuk 1 to Florida Alabama Score State

2/6/2016SEGSA MATRIX ANALYSIS Conservation Lanier Drinking Water Lake Sewage Drinking Water Well Fields Redefine West Point Lake Cleaner treated sewage Aqueducts Georgia Florida Alabama Score Rank each item according to how you think the state will favor the item. Rank from 0 to 10 with 0 = not in favor and 10 = very strongly favor Option Comments/ suggestions Optional name and if you want a copy of the results:

2/6/2016SEGSA MATRIX ANALYSIS - Political State Progressive Consumption Pricing Leak * Detection, etc. Low Flow, etc Public Private Tie-in Other Georgia Florida Alabama

2/6/2016SEGSA DROUGHT is over WHEN it is Full! 2/6/2016SEGSA