The agricultural sector is one of the States leading sectors when it comes to overall output and employment. The 2007 Farm Gate Value for the State was 11.6 billion dollars, which is just over 1,400 dollars per person in the state. The total 2007 Farm Gate Value in South Georgia was 6.5 billion dollars, or 56 percent of all agricultural production. 1 The per person value was 2,400 dollars, over a 1,000 increase in value of production per person compared the state as a whole. This study looks at the economic contributions of a few specific sectors of agricultural production in 2003 and 2007. In addition, this study shows the economic value by six selected regions in Georgia, three of which are the State defined Water Planning Regions. Although the recently adopted Statewide Comprehensive Water Plan does not directly control water allocations for farmers, the sub region plans will consider and plan for their Consumptive use. This study will help leaders to determine the economic value and contribution agriculture has within the State, regions, and water basins.

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State-Wide Water Plan – Business and Industry will need to consider reclaimed water.

Now that Georgia has finished and approved the Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan, business owners, farmers, local governments, nonprofits, and individuals are wondering how it will affect them and what they need to do to be in compliance.

It is important to note that the plan, which was approved during the 2008 General Assembly, is only the structure or backbone in how the State will plan for current and future water resources.  The following is a condensed list of issues covered in the plan:

• water quantity and quality (offstream and instream uses)
• transfer of water within a basin and to other basins
• reuse of sewage (reclaimed water) and grey water
• conservation oriented pricing of water
• water conservation practices
• creation of reservoirs
• creation of water councils for regional planning

For the most part, Georgia has never really needed to consider reusing water or Wastewater (reclaimed water) for business or industrial growth. However, the State’s growth has put pressure on the demand for water resources. Although fresh water is a renewable resource, the supply of fresh water is an extremely limited, only 2.8 percent of the water on earth. Therefore, the State-Wide Water Plan will encourage businesses and industry not needing drinking quality water to use either more grey water or reclaimed water within the manufacturing process.

One of the leaders in using reclaimed water is our neighbor to the south, Florida.  In the 1980s, they were concerned with the disposal problem of reclaimed.  The State has since found that it has helped meet new growth demands for both the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.  Some of the largest projects in Florida are located in Orlando, Tallahassee, and Saint Petersburg.

Pathogens

More information, guidelines, and potential incentives for using reclaimed water will be developed within the next two years.  The State is currently in the process of finalizing the boundaries for the development of regional planning councils.  Each council will develop a water plan that considers water resource capacities, current and future needs, and available tools, which will include reclaimed water.