A 21st Century Water Policy

A 21st Century Water Policy

The State of Georgia has faced a number of water crises. Fresh water stored in Georgia's Upper Floridan Aquifer is threatened by saltwater intrusion. Meanwhile, projected population growth for Georgia indicates that water demand will continue to increase in coming years.

There is a need to reach an agreement with Alabama and Florida on allocation of shared rivers originating in Georgia. The three states have already invested many years in these negotiations, which are critical to ensuring that all three states have access to the fresh water necessary for human life.

While it is critical that the water compact negotiations over Georgia's existing water resources continue, it is also critical that Georgia begins to find ways to "create" more fresh water to meet its growing needs.

I have introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to help all states to prepare for 21st century demands on our nation's finite water resources. My bill, H.R. 135, would create a commission charged with researching and recommending to Congress a comprehensive water policy to meet 21st century water needs. The "21st Century Water Policy Commission" would include representatives of federal, state, and local water management agencies, as well as private sector and environmental organizations that deal with water problems.

The federal government can help states to prepare for pending water crises by funding research into new water-management technologies and providing a forum through which successful water research and technologies can be shared across the nation. In addition, the federal government can help communities to fund the construction of necessary water facilities. Finally, the federal government can help communities to expand their water resources by reducing red tape and better coordinating federal water agencies and programs.

The 21st Century Water Policy Commission would be charged with developing recommendations in each of these areas. Through these responsibilities, H.R. 135 takes the first step toward helping all Americans to face future water emergencies proactively.

Georgia's water officials are working tirelessly to address our state's growing water needs. With my water bill, I hope to empower those officials by increasing federal support for water research and development and reducing federal regulatory boundaries.

Last year, roughly 50 trillion gallons of water fall on Georgia, yet our lakes are growing dangerously low, our citizens are subject to stringent water restrictions, and our aquifers are being pumped dry. Why? Because we do not effectively capture and reuse Georgia's rainfall before it evaporates or runs off into the ocean. This problem is neither limited to Georgia, nor the Southeast. States across the nation will meet with water crises in the coming years, and they will all have to find ways to use water more efficiently, capture more water, and reuse water multiple times before it flows out to sea. My 21st Century Water Policy Commission bill offers a ray of hope for Georgia and all states challenged by their finite water resources.

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