Spring Break
Water source slipping drop by drop
Water may not last through Dec.
TOM MARINE
Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: News
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Because of the drought and pumping of water sources, officials said water levels have dropped to record lows and the supply may diminish by spring.
In response to water problems caused by the drought, the authority requested the withdrawal of 15 million gallons of water for 45 days from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The authority - comprised of Clarke, Oconee, Barrow and Jackson counties - submitted the request through the division because state laws prevent pumping water from rivers below a certain flow level.
The river's flow declined to 1.4 cubic feet per second on Thursday - an 83 percent decrease from the previous record low. Since then, the water flow has increased but is still well below normal levels.
Gary Duck, director of Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities, said the pumping upstream had something to do with the flow decline. The authority is pulling water from two separate locations between Athens and Arcade, he said.
"Certainly there is always that concern," Duck said, referring to the health of the river. "But the reality is that going into the winter months, the flow usually increases."
Duck said by pulling water from the river and maintaining the conservation efforts from the counties, there should be enough water until Dec. 21.
Of the 15 million gallons pulled daily - nearly 23 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water - half of the water will go to Athens-Clarke County and half to the Bear Creek Reservoir for the other counties.
Todd Rasmussen, professor of hydrology and water resources, said the fluctuating water flow can place stress on the aquatic environment. Native species can be lost during these extreme conditions, with invasive species occupying the niche, he said.
"Ideally, you wouldn't want that to happen," said Rasmussen, who is also a member of the task force created by University President Michael Adams to conserve water. "I mean, how long can fish survive out of the water?"
Rasmussen added river levels usually rise during the winter months because of a lack of vegetation, but the real problem may occur next year.
"I think we could manage to get through the winter without any significant issue," Rasmussen said.
"Next summer, the whole thing could fall apart. We don't really address the problem because it's so occasional."
Adding to the water problems, state climatologist and University faculty member David Stooksbury said the forecasts call for a warmer and dryer than normal winter this year.
Stooksbury said Georgia is experiencing an exceptional drought - one that occurs about once every hundred years.
"The prudent thing to do is to assume that it will remain dry and start conserving water right now," Stooksbury said. "I think that is where the emphasis needs to be right now."
ACC is experiencing a level four drought, and Duck said plans are being made for Step F - the next phase in water conservation efforts. He would not comment on the financial implications or specifics of Step F, but said ACC officials are working on a draft to give county commissioners Oct. 25.
Rasmussen said there are three parts to water conservation: behavioral response, equipment, and water supply augmentation. Modifying behavior and water usage is the best short-term solution to water conservation, he said.
Rasmussen said switching to water-efficient equipment provides a long-term solution, but it does not solve the immediate problem.
" I don't see this drought thing going away any time soon," Rasmussen said.
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