Creating the First Integrated Water Management Plans for 16 Metropolitan Counties in Georgia: Ground-Breaking Collaboration Among Utilities

In 2001, the Georgia General Assembly established the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (District) and charged it with addressing comprehensive water resource management planning in the 16-county area of metropolitan north Georgia (the greater Atlanta region). Within 2 years, the District prepared the first edition of 3 linked plans for water supply, wastewater, and stormwater management. The plans address 30 years of projected growth and service needs for metro Atlanta, against a backdrop of constrained water resources and interstate conflicts over how shared waters should be managed. The plans, adopted by the District in September 2003, are believed to be the first integrated water plans prepared for a major metropolitan area.