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For more than 40 years, the Georgia Conservancy has been at the forefront of efforts to protect Georgia’s water. From our research on water quality and advocacy of sound policy, to our recent work with the Georgia Water Coalition, we have strived to ensure Georgians have access to safe water for consumption and recreation.
Georgia’s continuous growth, from metro Atlanta to the coast, threatens both water quality and supply. Since we all need clean drinking water and healthy rivers and streams, the Georgia Conservancy continues its efforts to protect our water resources.
For information about the current water crisis facing the state of Georgia, visit the Georgia Conservancy's Water War Room.
Download the Georgia Conservancy's water policy guidelines adopted Oct,2009
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Water planning and management continue to be the leading environmental topics in Georgia and a primary focus for the Georgia Conservancy. Visit our Regional Water Planning Council webpage.
In response to the strain on water resources brought on by Georgia's rapid rate of growth, the Georgia Conservancy teamed up with more than 150 partners through the Georgia Water Coalition (GWC) to proactively participate in creating, drafting and implementing a statewide water management plan. Thanks in large part to GWC’s advocacy, the legislature passed a bill in 2004 mandating the plan’s creation.
We continue our work with GWC to assist in implementing the statewide water plan, passed by the Georgia legislature in 2008, while also participating in new initiatives to promote water conservation and protection. Water conservation goals, measures and programs – critical components to achieving sustainable water management – must be aggressive, measurable and effective. With the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) new initiative to draft a statewide water conservation implementation plan and The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District’s plans up for review, revision and re-approval, we have new opportunity to advocate for more aggressive solutions.
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| The Georgia Conservancy continues to lead science-based advocacy to protect our state’s water quality. About 60 percent of Georgia's monitored streams do not meet water quality standards, meaning they are not safe to swim, fish or, in some cases, drink. Currently, three large lakes in Georgia do not meet the EPD’s standard for chlorophyll a, the green pigment in plans whose concentrations indicate the health of bodies of water and the plant life within them. The Georgia Conservancy participates in the Federal Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) program, a tool developed to help us clean our streams, rivers and lakes. |
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One of the many ways the Georgia Conservancy supports water conservation and efficiency is through Sustainable Atlanta, an agent to connect business, organizations, institutions and residents to develop solutions and implement action plans to address the challenges and opportunities inherent in the relationship between environment, equity and the economy. The Georgia Conservancy is working in coordination with Sustainable Atlanta to ensure that action takes place on three related fronts: policy, technology and awareness.
The Sapelo Foundation
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