ATLANTA – State Representative Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, commends the state’s new water agreement to enable local service providers in Forsyth, Gwinnett and Hall counties to draw water from Lake Lanier. On Monday, Rep. Taylor joined Governor Brian Kemp as he made the historic announcement that will help end a decades-long “water war” between Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
“This is an important win not only for the residents in these affected areas, but for our state as a whole,” said Rep. Taylor. “This landmark deal represents just how important it is for our state to work with local service providers to protect crucial assets like water for residents and businesses to use. I appreciate the work that Governor Kemp’s administration did to reach an agreement that will serve both local providers and the surrounding communities.”
The formal contract will allow water service providers, specifically in the Gainesville, Buford, Gwinnett, Cumming and Forsyth communities, to draw from Lake Lanier’s water supply through 2050. Lake Lanier is the largest reservoir in North Georgia, and more than 1.5 million residents and businesses rely on its water supply.
According to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the contract will allow local providers to draw at least 222 million gallons of water per day, or 13 percent of the water in Lake Lanier when it’s at full capacity. The majority of the water will go towards water supply providers in the three surrounding counties, while the remaining water will be held as reserves. Additionally, the state will reimburse the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers $71 million for the next 30 years. Once the debt is paid, the state will have permanent water rights to Lake Lanier.
For several decades, the state has worked to secure an official agreement but has consistently faced legal opposition from Florida and Alabama. In January of 2021, the state announced a contract between Georgia and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for water storage that will meet projected needs. Signing this agreement will complete the process that started earlier this year.
To view and/or download photos from yesterday’s press conference, please click here.
Representative Darlene Taylor represents the citizens of District 173, which includes Grady County and portions of Thomas and Decatur counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Vice Chairman of the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee. She also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Insurance, Public Safety & Homeland Security, Rules and Transportation committees.
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