Water
Waterborne Diseases Could Cost over $500 Million Annually in U.S.8/22/10 Hospitalizations for three common waterborne diseases cost the health care system as much as $539 million annually, according to research presented last month at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases... More Governor Announces GEFA Approval of Water and Sewer Projects Totaling $46 Million for Seven Georgia Communities3/23/10 Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) has approved of funding for seven environmental infrastructure projects totaling $46 million. The GEFA board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and sewer system improvements for Augusta-Richmond... More Georgia Farms Will Need More Water in the Future9/3/09 A recent University of Georgia report shows that Georgia farmers will need 20 percent more water to grow their crops in the next four decades. They'll need it to meet increased food demand and to compete globally... More 7/17/09 Tri-State Water Litigation Court Order (opens PDF)Sen. Chip Pearson: Build Reservoirs Now or Leave Georgians without Drinking Water in Three Years8/13/09 Recently, a federal judge ruled that metro Atlanta residents have no right to tap Lake Lanier for their drinking water. Because that function was not originally authorized when the lake was built 50 years ago, 3 million people could be without a single source of water if a compromise with Florida and Alabama is not reached within three years. While I understand the need to follow the letter of the law, we must also consider what’s practical. We cannot leave 3 million citizens without drinking water... More Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Stephens Says He’s Ready to Fight for Georgia’s Use of Lake Lanier in Congress7/21/09 Former State Senator Bill Stephens stresses the importance of a solution to Judge Magnuson’s ruling as Georgia’s Congressional delegation meets today to decide the next steps for the future of Lake Lanier’s... More Graves’ Statement Regarding Tri-State Water Dispute7/20/09 Republican State Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger), candidate for the 9th Congressional District of Georgia, released the following statement after last Friday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson that shifts Lake Lanier’s water allocation to Congress concerning the tri-state water dispute: “I am troubled by the federal judge’s decision regarding Lake Lanier’s water. His ruling Friday could be one of the largest takings of state’s rights that this country has seen in modern history. Giving the federal government this enormous power to decide a dispute that should be delegated among the states is unconscionable. I urge our Governor to take the necessary steps to a speedy resolution of this matter. As the next Congressman for North Georgia, I will vehemently oppose attempts by those in Washington to try and take our most precious resource whose genesis is in the mountains of North Georgia and will unite with other Georgia leaders to fight for a fair and equitable solution that's right for Georgia.” Gingrey Statement on Court Ruling on Tri-State Water Usage7/17/09 U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey made the following
statement in response to the ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul
Magnuson that delegates the responsibility to Congress to
determine how much water may be used from Lake “While I am greatly disappointed by the Court's ruling, the decision leaves little choice but to seek consensus through the legislative process. Congressional inaction is no longer an option, and I stand ready and committed to work in a bipartisan way for a fair resolution that respects and protects the interests of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.” City of Atlanta’s Response to Judge Magnuson’s Order7/17/09 “Water is a critical resource. The City of Atlanta is spending billions of dollars rebuilding its water infrastructure under federal consent decrees. As mayor, I recognize the seriousness of the ruling and also the value of proper resource stewardship. Clean water is needed for public health, fire protection and economic development for every person and community in Georgia. The Governor and the State have the lead in this case and we and the other Metro Area water providers are following their lead. This is not only a local or regional issue, but a national issue. We welcome the opportunity to resolve it fairly and amicably.” - Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin |
Multi-Grammy Winning Performer Rob Thomas to Take Part in Dow Live Earth Run for Water April 183/28/10 Live Earth, organizer of The Dow Live Earth Run for Water, and Atlanta Track Club, race director for the Atlanta event, today announced that Rob Thomas, multi-platinum three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Rob Thomas, will perform live at the Atlanta event taking place at Pemberton Place, adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. The largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis, The Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a series of 6km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water)... More Gwinnett Files Notice to Appeal in Water Wars Decision9/17/09 Gwinnett County has filed a notice of appeal in response to the July 17, 2009, decision of Judge Paul Magnuson in the Jacksonville, Fla., District Court on the long-running “Water Wars” cases in which Gwinnett County is a party. Summarized, the judge ruled that if no congressional resolution is reached in three years, Gwinnett County must cease taking water for drinking and fire protection purposes from Lake Lanier... More Atlanta: A Clean Water Success Story8/5/09 The last decade has seen a remarkable success story unfold in the City of Atlanta, a success story that has had profound repercussions for the City’s future and that of the entire Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. It’s the product of billions of dollars in spending, the unrelenting patience of Atlanta residents and the expertise and hard work of thousands of... More GEFA Approves Water, Sewer Infrastructure Projects for Communities Around Georgia7/21/09 Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the approval of 26 environmental infrastructure project loans totaling $43.1 million. Twenty-three of the projects were either fully or partially financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at a total of $39 million... More Atlantans Urged To Continue To Respect Limited Water Resources7/20/09 Mayor Shirley Franklin has urged Atlantans not to take advantage of the fact that the statewide drought declaration has been lifted, noting, “Our water resources are not unlimited. The City of Atlanta is doing its part with the $4 billion Clean Water Atlanta water and... More Statement of Governor Perdue Regarding Ruling in Water Litigation7/17/09 Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding ruling in water litigation: “Obviously, I am deeply disappointed by Judge Magnuson’s decision today. His conclusions rely on decades-old assumptions about the construction of federal reservoirs and the role those reservoirs play in providing water supply for growing states such as Georgia. Our country has changed substantially since the 1940s, when many of these reservoirs were constructed, and I will use this opportunity not only to appeal the judge's decision but, most importantly, to urge Congress to address the realities of modern reservoir usage. The judge’s ruling allows a three-year window for either Congressional action or an agreement by the states and we will work diligently with Georgia’s delegation and members of Congress to re-establish the proper use of federal reservoirs throughout the country.” Isakson, Chambliss Joint Statement on Court Ruling on Tri-State Water Usage7/17/09 U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today issued the following joint statement regarding the ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson that gives the U.S. Congress the responsibility to determine how much water from Lake Lanier may be used to supply the metro Atlanta area. “The judge’s ruling places the decision of allocation of water from Lake Lanier solely on the shoulders of Congress. As members of the U.S. Senate from Georgia, we will work tirelessly to reach an agreement that is in the best interest of Georgia while at the same time respecting the interests and concerns of Florida and Alabama. This is a huge challenge, but it is a challenge we must meet.” Lt. Governor Casey Cagle Statement on Tri-State Water Litigation7/17/09 Lt. Governor Casey Cagle today released the following statement in response to U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson’s ruling in the tri-state water litigation: “Today’s ruling is an extremely frustrating one for me. Georgia has grown while being good stewards of our water resources, including Lake Lanier. I am looking forward to working with Georgia’s Congressional delegation in an effort to resolve this issue.”
|
The Water Main Blog |
A Department of Water representative stopped at a ranch and talked with an old rancher. He told the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for your water allocation."
The old rancher said, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there."
The Water representative said, "Mister, I have the authority of Federal Government with me. See this card? The card means I am allowed to go WHEREVER I WISH on any agricultural land. No questions asked or answered. "Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?"
The old rancher nodded politely and went about his chores.
Later, the old rancher heard loud screams and saw the Water Rep running for the fence and close behind was the rancher's bull. The bull was gaining on the Water Rep with every step. The Rep was clearly terrified, so the old rancher immediately threw down his tools, ran to the fence and shouted out:
"Your card! Your card! Show him your card!"
