Water

Clean, reliable water is essential for Georgia’s communities, farms, and economy. But aging infrastructure, rising demand, and more frequent flooding and droughts are putting pressure on our water systems thus driving up costs for cities and ratepayers. These policies protect our water supply, modernize infrastructure, and keep drinking water safe and affordable for the future.

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From lead in older pipes to contamination in rural wells, too many Georgians worry about what comes out the tap. Protecting safe drinking water is essential for healthy families and thriving communities. 

  • Summary: Requires water utilities to replace all lead service lines within 10 years, with costs shared equitably across customers to avoid burdening low-income households.
  • Why It Matters for Georgia: Many older communities in Georgia, especially in Macon, Augusta, and smaller rural towns still have aging water systems with lead pipes. This policy could protect public health and children's safety statewide.
  • Status: Enacted

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  • Summary: Regulates PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”) discharges from industrial users into water systems to limit contamination.
  • Why It Matters for Georgia: PFAS have shown up in water near places like Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and Dobbins Air Reserve Base. These toxic chemicals, used in things like firefighting foam and industrial waste, don’t break down easily and have been linked to cancer and other health issues. A policy like this could help keep them out of our drinking water and better protect nearby communities.
  • Status: Vetoed

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Georgia is seeing more flooding on the coast and stronger storms inland, exposing how outdated our infrastructure really is. Proactive resilience planning protects local economies — keeping homes, farms, and businesses online instead of paying exponentially more to recover after disaster strikes.

  • Summary: Allocates recurring state funds (~$1.7 M/year) for staff and grants to support coastal resilience projects, mobile air monitoring, dam safety evaluations, and PFAS research. Also includes a $2 B water infrastructure fund for drinking and wastewater upgrades. All measures take effect July 2025 .
  • Why It Matters for Georgia: Georgia’s coastal counties: Glynn, Camden, and Chatham face constant flooding, storm surge, and water system risks but lack a dedicated statewide resilience fund and team. A similar bill could provide the staffing, grants, and infrastructure money we’re missing.
  • Status: Enacted

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  •  Summary: Expands the definition of flood projects to include stormwater capture and reuse, making these projects eligible for state funding and low-interest loans through the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program.
  • Why It Matters for Georgia: Coastal Georgia cities like Savannah and Brunswick, as well as flood-prone inland areas, lack dedicated state support for innovative flood protection and stormwater management. This policy could help fund nature-based solutions and water reuse while protecting communities.
  •  Status: Proposed

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  • Summary: Establishes a multi-agency task force to coordinate planning and recommend solutions for floods and droughts, ensuring better preparedness and cross-agency communication.
  • Why It Matters for Georgia: Georgia has no unified statewide plan or task force to help coastal communities respond to worsening floods, hurricanes, and sea-level rise. A similar approach could bring together local leaders, state agencies, and federal partners to build a real resilience strategy.
  • Status: Enacted

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Georgians still remember the 2007 drought, when Lake Lanier nearly ran dry and farms in southwest Georgia struggled to keep water flowing. Continuing to invest in smaller drought planning and water protection will keep communities prepared instead of scrambling when the next dry spell hits.

  • Summary: Establishes a fund to help groundwater managers study and protect aquifers in drought-prone areas, particularly where overpumping threatens long-term water supply.
  • Why It Matters for Georgia: Georgia’s South Georgia agricultural regions rely heavily on groundwater for irrigation, but there is no dedicated state fund or program to proactively study or protect aquifers from overuse and drought. This policy could help safeguard rural economies and water resources.
  • Status: Proposed

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  • Summary: Requires small water suppliers and rural communities to develop drought contingency plans, ensuring better preparedness for future water shortages.
  • Why It Matters for Georgia: Many of Georgia’s rural water systems and small towns lack formal drought planning, leaving them unprepared for prolonged dry spells or supply disruptions. A similar requirement could improve water security and emergency response across the state.
  • Status: Enacted

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Acknowledgements

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper