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Published Saturday, October 17, 2009 in Opinion

Water picture brighter for now, but we must continue to conserve

Editorial

It's been another wet week in Coweta County and throughout much of Georgia. Depending on whose rain gauge you use, Coweta is more than 4 inches above normal for rainfall this year. That's a big improvement from recent drought years.

A significant water mark was achieved this week in our state when North Georgia's Lake Lanier reached full pool. The Army Corps of Engineers reported Wednesday that the massive reservoir on the Chattahoochee River was above full pool of 1,071 feet above sea level for the first time since September 2005.

Lanier, which is Atlanta's main water supply, was once more than 20 feet below full pool.

With Lake Lanier at full pool and with Newnan and Coweta's reservoirs full, you might think our water supply crisis had ended, much like the drought has ended.

Not so. There is still a long-term water supply crisis in our state.

Some of the Metro Atlanta region's water officials acknowledged the good news that Lake Lanier is full.

Kit Dunlap, chair of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, and Sam Olens, Regional Commission, said, "This milestone is no reason to abandon responsible water conservation practices. In fact, it is imperative that we make water conservation a way of life in the Atlanta region. While Lake Lanier may be full today, metro Atlanta's water resources are still precious and finite. "

Newnan and Coweta County do not get their water from the Chattahoochee. Because of good planning and good stewardship by local water agencies, our long-range water outlook is better than other parts of metro Atlanta. But we, too, must make water conservation a way of life.

The Coweta County Water Authority is completing a water leak repair project that is saving millions of gallons of water. That's conservation. And just like the county is repairing leaks in its lines, we as individual water users must ensure we don't have leaks inside our homes and businesses.

Let's celebrate the drought is over, Lake Lanier is full and our local water supply is abundant. But while we celebrate, let's resolve to continue to conserve water.

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