Water Crisis

The Chattahoochee watershed is on a supply and demand collision course.

We have a finite water supply that is being stretched to the breaking point. The Chattahoochee River watershed above Atlanta is the smallest in the nation serving a major metropolitan area.

. . . and our supply is decreasing . . .

We are getting less rainfall. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Starting in 1979, the southeastern U.S. got less rain than it did during the preceding three decades. In fact, for eight of the last 11 years, Atlanta has recorded less than 50 inches of rain.

Plus we are reducing our water supply by adding hard surface area in the Atlanta metro region at a rate of 55 acres per day. That means that the rain we do get rushes across pavement and downstream rather than providing the base flow that could sustain our watershed during times of drought.

. . . while our demand is increasing . . .

3.5 million people in metro Atlanta depend on the Chattahoochee River for water supply. In the next 20 years, this population will nearly double, placing greater demands on our tiny watershed.

In addition to demands on our drinking water, waste water, and outdoor watering needs, it TAKES WATER TO PRODUCE ENERGY! In fact, thermoelectric facilities use slightly more than half of the total surface water used in the state each day—or 3.3 billion gallons of water.

How can we keep from being Tapped Out??

There are solutions –
• Be more efficient with our water use
• Be more efficient with our energy use
• Grow in a sustainable way, making choices that reflect the limitations of our watershed and respect the needs of ALL who depend on our river for life, prosperity, and recreation.

What You Can Do –

• Go to No Time to Waste to become water smart, energy smart and garden smart.
• Schedule a presentation of Tapped Out: The Drying Up of Atlanta for your community group, business, or organization
• Donate to UCR, the only nonprofit whose sole mission is to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee River, its lakes and tributaries for the people and wildlife that depend upon it.
• Check out Filling the Water Gap: Conservation Successes and Missed Opportunities in Metro Atlanta (insert hyperlink) to learn more about what local governments and businesses are doing in your community to save water.
• Contact local and state leaders to urge them to adopt more water conservation measures. Learn how by visiting our Act Now! page. Get up-to-date information on current advocacy opportunities by signing up for our RiverFLASH eblast.