No Wave To Ride

In the metropolitan Atlanta we are facing a water crisis that is beyond any we have ever faced in the past. Extreme drought conditions have drained area lakes to the point where many docks lead to more dry land and boating is seriously restricted. Lakeside businesses are finding their commerce drying up as well. But those problems are minor compared to the looming loss of drinking water.

All outdoor watering is now banned. Violators are having their water shut off and must pay heavy fines to have it restored. Area restaurants are offering table water only upon request. Plant nurseries have curtailed selling outdoor plants that require much watering upon transplantation. New sod is not being delivered.

This is not enough. We are still consuming water faster than it is accumulating. The long range forecast is for dryer than normal conditions. With the present rate of consumption, it is forecast that our area will be without running water sometime in early 2008.

In spite of these extreme conditions, the Army Corp of Engineers continues to drain the reservoir sending water downstream to Alabama and Florida at the same rate they normally do. Does that make any sense? Why should Alabama and Florida be exempt from suffering from the same consequences of drought that plague Georgia?

Obviously, it does not make sense. Unfortunately, no provision for the current conditions was ever built into the water release guidelines. The Governor has requested that the water release be curtailed. The Army Corp of Engineers said they are considering their options but are continuing to drain the lake. It is sort of like someone saying, "Yeah, it looks like this fire is getting out of hand," while throwing more wood on it at the same time.

The State of Georgia is now faced with trying to get legal injunctions to block further water releases until a new plan can be drafted. A legal injunction will take the Corp of Engineers off the hook for not following the guidelines they have been given. It will empower them to use their common sense without suffering the consequences.

Clearly, we need more forward thinking in our government and in the electorate. It is inefficient to wait until situations become critical before we react. But that is the nature of politics. Even the best of our elected officials often lack the mandate to make needed changes until the public is so uncomfortable with current circumstances they give them no choice. The blame lies not just on our elected government but also upon ourselves.

That's Wade's two cents.

Wade Houston
October 18, 2007


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