One of the chief reasons we have written several posts about water law, water contamination and water pollution is fairly simple; Georgia just does not have enough clean, pure water to allow any to go to waste. All communities need to look at water for what it is -- a valuable and potentially scarce resource -- but this is especially an important priority for Georgia and fast-growing communities like Atlanta. Water contamination is a serious problem we can ill-afford.
Now, what we just said is true at any time, but it's especially valid now as our state is in the throes of one of the worst droughts in recent memory. A quarter of all of Georgia is in what is considered "exceptional drought," which is the worst kind government agencies track.
The terrible draught has meant that farmers have had difficulty irrigating their crops. Some communities have had to enact water restrictions and businesses that need lots of water (everything from Laundromats to industrial operations) are nervously wondering whether they will have enough to stay open.
Water is always a precious commodity, but we do not always think of it that way. If there is anything good that can come from this draught, it could be that it will get all of us in Georgia to understand how vital water is and thus how important it is that we not allow anyone, be it a municipality or a business, to abuse it. We simply cannot afford to allow water to be waste or contaminated.
Source: NPR, "Georgia Digs Deep To Counter Drought," Josephine Bennett, Aug. 14, 2012
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