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Water Use in Georgia

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By South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) August 13, 2018

To provide estimates of water withdrawal, water use, and return flows to surface water needed for water management, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (GaEPD), developed the Georgia Water-Use Program in 1979. This ongoing program focuses on collecting, compiling, and disseminating water-use information for the State.

 

Animation of 2015 Georgia water use by category.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Animation of 2015 Georgia water use by category, captured from the visualization of 2015 United States water use by category, by the USGS Vizlab.Public domain.

Georgia population has nearly doubled since 1985, while power generation usage has dropped significantly.

Georgia water use, 1985 to 2015
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Georgia water use 1985 to 2015

 

Related water-use publications:

Barber, N.L., 1987, Public supply water use in Georgia, 1983: Georgia Geologic Survey Hydrologic Atlas 15, 1 plate.

Carter, R.F., and Johnson, A.M.F., 1974, Use of water in Georgia, 1970, with projections to 1990: Georgia Geologic Survey Hydrologic Report 2, 74 pp.

Fanning, J.L., 1997, Water use in Georgia by county for 1995: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 101, 95 p.

Fanning, J.L., 1999, Water use in coastal Georgia by county and source, 1997; and water-use trends, 1980-97: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 104, 37 p.

Fanning, J.L., 2003, Water use in Georgia by county for 2000 and water-use trends for 1980-2000: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 106, 176 p.

Fanning, J.L., Doonan, G.A., Trent, V.P., and McFarland, R.D., 1991, Power generation and related water use in Georgia: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 87, 37 p.

Pierce, R.R., Barber, N.L., and Stiles, H.R., 1982, Water use in Georgia by county for 1980: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 59, 180 pp.

Trent, V.P., Fanning, J.L., and Doonan, G.A., 1990, Water use in Georgia by county for 1987: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 85, 112 p.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Water use logo

Water Use in Georgia, 2010

Total water use, for 2010,was estimated at 4,680 Mgal/d which included 1,130 Mgal/d of water delivered by public suppliers to domestic, commercial and public use, and industrial customer and publics supply losses. About 6.7 Mgal/d of water was delivered from public suppliers in Alabama and Tennessee to customers in Georgia. Furthermore, 2,230 Mgal/d of water was returned to surface-water bodies in...
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

Water Use in Georgia, 2010

Total water use, for 2010,was estimated at 4,680 Mgal/d which included 1,130 Mgal/d of water delivered by public suppliers to domestic, commercial and public use, and industrial customer and publics supply losses. About 6.7 Mgal/d of water was delivered from public suppliers in Alabama and Tennessee to customers in Georgia. Furthermore, 2,230 Mgal/d of water was returned to surface-water bodies in...
Learn More
link
Water use logo

Water Use in North Carolina, 2010

In North Carolina and across the Nation, water is a vital resource and it is used for a variety of purposes. Water use for 2010 was estimated for each county in North Carolina using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and other sources. Estimates of water use in North Carolina were developed for the categories of public supply, domestic, industrial, mining, aquaculture...
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

Water Use in North Carolina, 2010

In North Carolina and across the Nation, water is a vital resource and it is used for a variety of purposes. Water use for 2010 was estimated for each county in North Carolina using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and other sources. Estimates of water use in North Carolina were developed for the categories of public supply, domestic, industrial, mining, aquaculture...
Learn More
link
Water use logo

Water Use in South Carolina, 2010

The future health and welfare of the Nation's population is dependent upon a continuing supply of uncontaminated fresh water. Increasing withdrawals and increasing demands for instream flows are limiting the water available for future use. The USGS compiles water-use data from numerous sources for all parts of the country, and since 1950 has published a series of Circulars on the estimated use of...
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

Water Use in South Carolina, 2010

The future health and welfare of the Nation's population is dependent upon a continuing supply of uncontaminated fresh water. Increasing withdrawals and increasing demands for instream flows are limiting the water available for future use. The USGS compiles water-use data from numerous sources for all parts of the country, and since 1950 has published a series of Circulars on the estimated use of...
Learn More
link
SW Georgia Agricultural Water Conservation and Metering Program

Southwest Georgia Agricultural Water Conservation and Metering Program

During 2008-2015, the U.S. Geological Survey investigated methods to estimate agricultural water use and growing season pumping rates through the analysis of water-meter data throughout southwest Georgia. Reports are available by year.
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

Southwest Georgia Agricultural Water Conservation and Metering Program

During 2008-2015, the U.S. Geological Survey investigated methods to estimate agricultural water use and growing season pumping rates through the analysis of water-meter data throughout southwest Georgia. Reports are available by year.
Learn More

Related water-use publications:

Estimated use of water in Georgia for 2015 and water-use trends, 1985–2015

Water-withdrawal, water-use, and water-return information have been collected and compiled for each county in Georgia every 5 years since 1980 using data obtained from various Federal, State, and private agencies, as well as additional online sources. For 2015, water use, water withdrawal, and water returns were estimated for each county, water-planning region, major river basin, and principal aqu
Authors
Jaime A. Painter
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water use in Georgia by county for 2010 and water-use trends, 1985–2010

Water use and water withdrawals and returns in 2010 are estimated for each major river basin, principal aquifer, water-planning region, and county in Georgia using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and local sources. Offstream water use in 2010 is estimated for the categories of public supply, domestic, commercial, industrial, mining, irrigation, livestock, aquaculture, and the
Authors
Stephen J. Lawrence
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water withdrawals, wastewater discharge, and water consumption in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, 2005, and water-use trends, 1970-2005

The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin covers about 20,500 square miles that drains parts of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The basin extends from its headwaters northern Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico. Population in the basin was estimated to be 3.7 million in 2005, an increase of about 41 percent from the 1990 population of 2.6 million. In 2005, slightly more than 721,000 acres of
Authors
Richard L. Marella, Julia L. Fanning
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Water Use in Georgia by County for 2005; and Water-Use Trends, 1980-2005

Water use for 2005 for each county in Georgia was estimated using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and local sources. Total consumptive water use also was estimated for each county in Georgia for 2005. Water use is subdivided according to offstream and instream use. Offstream use is defined as water withdrawn or diverted from a ground- or surface-water source and transported t
Authors
Julia L. Fanning, Victoria P. Trent
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water use in Georgia by county for 2005; and water-use trends, 1980-2005

Water use for 2005 for each county in Georgia was estimated using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and local sources. Total consumptive water use also was estimated for each county in Georgia for 2005. Estimates of offstream water use include the categories of public supply, domestic, commercial, industrial, mining, irrigation, livestock, and thermoelectric power. The only cat
Authors
Julia L. Fanning, Victoria P. Trent
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Georgia Water-Use Program, 2006

The Georgia Water-Use Program was initiated during 1979, as a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GaEPD). This ongoing program focuses on collecting, compiling, and disseminating water-use information for the State (Fanning, 2003). These data are stored in a central database, which is maintained by the USGS. Every 5 years,
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

A field and statistical modeling study to estimate irrigation water use at Benchmark Farms study sites in southwestern Georgia, 1995-96

A benchmark irrigation monitoring network of farms located in a 32-county area in southwestern Georgia was established in 1995 to improve estimates of irrigation water use. A stratified random sample of 500 permitted irrigators was selected from a data base--maintained by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Water Resources Management Branch--to o
Authors
Julia L. Fanning, Gregory E. Schwarz, William C. Lewis
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

National water quality assessment of the Georgia-Florida Coastal Plain study unit — Water withdrawals and treated wastewater discharges, 1990

The Georgia-Florida Coastal Plain study unit covers nearly 62,600 square miles along the southeastern United States coast in Georgia and Florida. In 1990, the estimated population of the study unit was 9.3 million, and included all or part of the cities of Atlanta, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and St. Petersburg. Estimated freshwater withdrawn in the study unit in 1990 was nearly 5,075 million ga
Authors
R. L. Marella, J. L. Fanning
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Estimated use of water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin during 1990, with state summaries from 1970 to 1990

The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin covers approximately 19,800 square miles in parts of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Most of the basin lies within Georgia as does most of the population. Most of the water withdrawn in the basin in 1990 was withdrawn in Georgia (82 percent). Withdrawals in Florida and Alabama each accounted for 9 percent of the total withdrawal in the basin. Water w
Authors
R. L. Marella, J. L. Fanning, W. S. Mooty
By
Water Resources Mission Area

National water summary 1987: Hydrologic events and water supply and use

Water use in the United States, as measured by freshwater withdrawals in 1985, averaged 338,000 Mgal/d (million gallons per day), which is enough water to cover the 48 conterminous States to a depth of about 2.4 inches. Only 92,300 Mgal/d, or 27.3 percent of the water withdrawn, was consumptive use and thus lost to immediate further use; the remainder of the withdrawals (72.7 percent) was return f
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Georgia irrigation, 1970-1980 : a decade of growth

No abstract available.
Authors
Robert R. Pierce, Nancy L. Barber, H.R. Stiles
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Below are partners associated with this project.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Georgia Power

Georgia Water Planning & Policy Center

To provide estimates of water withdrawal, water use, and return flows to surface water needed for water management, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (GaEPD), developed the Georgia Water-Use Program in 1979. This ongoing program focuses on collecting, compiling, and disseminating water-use information for the State.

 

Animation of 2015 Georgia water use by category.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Animation of 2015 Georgia water use by category, captured from the visualization of 2015 United States water use by category, by the USGS Vizlab.Public domain.

Georgia population has nearly doubled since 1985, while power generation usage has dropped significantly.

Georgia water use, 1985 to 2015
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Georgia water use 1985 to 2015

 

Related water-use publications:

Barber, N.L., 1987, Public supply water use in Georgia, 1983: Georgia Geologic Survey Hydrologic Atlas 15, 1 plate.

Carter, R.F., and Johnson, A.M.F., 1974, Use of water in Georgia, 1970, with projections to 1990: Georgia Geologic Survey Hydrologic Report 2, 74 pp.

Fanning, J.L., 1997, Water use in Georgia by county for 1995: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 101, 95 p.

Fanning, J.L., 1999, Water use in coastal Georgia by county and source, 1997; and water-use trends, 1980-97: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 104, 37 p.

Fanning, J.L., 2003, Water use in Georgia by county for 2000 and water-use trends for 1980-2000: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 106, 176 p.

Fanning, J.L., Doonan, G.A., Trent, V.P., and McFarland, R.D., 1991, Power generation and related water use in Georgia: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 87, 37 p.

Pierce, R.R., Barber, N.L., and Stiles, H.R., 1982, Water use in Georgia by county for 1980: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 59, 180 pp.

Trent, V.P., Fanning, J.L., and Doonan, G.A., 1990, Water use in Georgia by county for 1987: Georgia Geologic Survey Information Circular 85, 112 p.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Water use logo

Water Use in Georgia, 2010

Total water use, for 2010,was estimated at 4,680 Mgal/d which included 1,130 Mgal/d of water delivered by public suppliers to domestic, commercial and public use, and industrial customer and publics supply losses. About 6.7 Mgal/d of water was delivered from public suppliers in Alabama and Tennessee to customers in Georgia. Furthermore, 2,230 Mgal/d of water was returned to surface-water bodies in...
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

Water Use in Georgia, 2010

Total water use, for 2010,was estimated at 4,680 Mgal/d which included 1,130 Mgal/d of water delivered by public suppliers to domestic, commercial and public use, and industrial customer and publics supply losses. About 6.7 Mgal/d of water was delivered from public suppliers in Alabama and Tennessee to customers in Georgia. Furthermore, 2,230 Mgal/d of water was returned to surface-water bodies in...
Learn More
link
Water use logo

Water Use in North Carolina, 2010

In North Carolina and across the Nation, water is a vital resource and it is used for a variety of purposes. Water use for 2010 was estimated for each county in North Carolina using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and other sources. Estimates of water use in North Carolina were developed for the categories of public supply, domestic, industrial, mining, aquaculture...
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

Water Use in North Carolina, 2010

In North Carolina and across the Nation, water is a vital resource and it is used for a variety of purposes. Water use for 2010 was estimated for each county in North Carolina using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and other sources. Estimates of water use in North Carolina were developed for the categories of public supply, domestic, industrial, mining, aquaculture...
Learn More
link
Water use logo

Water Use in South Carolina, 2010

The future health and welfare of the Nation's population is dependent upon a continuing supply of uncontaminated fresh water. Increasing withdrawals and increasing demands for instream flows are limiting the water available for future use. The USGS compiles water-use data from numerous sources for all parts of the country, and since 1950 has published a series of Circulars on the estimated use of...
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

Water Use in South Carolina, 2010

The future health and welfare of the Nation's population is dependent upon a continuing supply of uncontaminated fresh water. Increasing withdrawals and increasing demands for instream flows are limiting the water available for future use. The USGS compiles water-use data from numerous sources for all parts of the country, and since 1950 has published a series of Circulars on the estimated use of...
Learn More
link
SW Georgia Agricultural Water Conservation and Metering Program

Southwest Georgia Agricultural Water Conservation and Metering Program

During 2008-2015, the U.S. Geological Survey investigated methods to estimate agricultural water use and growing season pumping rates through the analysis of water-meter data throughout southwest Georgia. Reports are available by year.
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

Southwest Georgia Agricultural Water Conservation and Metering Program

During 2008-2015, the U.S. Geological Survey investigated methods to estimate agricultural water use and growing season pumping rates through the analysis of water-meter data throughout southwest Georgia. Reports are available by year.
Learn More

Related water-use publications:

Estimated use of water in Georgia for 2015 and water-use trends, 1985–2015

Water-withdrawal, water-use, and water-return information have been collected and compiled for each county in Georgia every 5 years since 1980 using data obtained from various Federal, State, and private agencies, as well as additional online sources. For 2015, water use, water withdrawal, and water returns were estimated for each county, water-planning region, major river basin, and principal aqu
Authors
Jaime A. Painter
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water use in Georgia by county for 2010 and water-use trends, 1985–2010

Water use and water withdrawals and returns in 2010 are estimated for each major river basin, principal aquifer, water-planning region, and county in Georgia using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and local sources. Offstream water use in 2010 is estimated for the categories of public supply, domestic, commercial, industrial, mining, irrigation, livestock, aquaculture, and the
Authors
Stephen J. Lawrence
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water withdrawals, wastewater discharge, and water consumption in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, 2005, and water-use trends, 1970-2005

The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin covers about 20,500 square miles that drains parts of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The basin extends from its headwaters northern Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico. Population in the basin was estimated to be 3.7 million in 2005, an increase of about 41 percent from the 1990 population of 2.6 million. In 2005, slightly more than 721,000 acres of
Authors
Richard L. Marella, Julia L. Fanning
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Water Use in Georgia by County for 2005; and Water-Use Trends, 1980-2005

Water use for 2005 for each county in Georgia was estimated using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and local sources. Total consumptive water use also was estimated for each county in Georgia for 2005. Water use is subdivided according to offstream and instream use. Offstream use is defined as water withdrawn or diverted from a ground- or surface-water source and transported t
Authors
Julia L. Fanning, Victoria P. Trent
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water use in Georgia by county for 2005; and water-use trends, 1980-2005

Water use for 2005 for each county in Georgia was estimated using data obtained from various Federal and State agencies and local sources. Total consumptive water use also was estimated for each county in Georgia for 2005. Estimates of offstream water use include the categories of public supply, domestic, commercial, industrial, mining, irrigation, livestock, and thermoelectric power. The only cat
Authors
Julia L. Fanning, Victoria P. Trent
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Georgia Water-Use Program, 2006

The Georgia Water-Use Program was initiated during 1979, as a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GaEPD). This ongoing program focuses on collecting, compiling, and disseminating water-use information for the State (Fanning, 2003). These data are stored in a central database, which is maintained by the USGS. Every 5 years,
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

A field and statistical modeling study to estimate irrigation water use at Benchmark Farms study sites in southwestern Georgia, 1995-96

A benchmark irrigation monitoring network of farms located in a 32-county area in southwestern Georgia was established in 1995 to improve estimates of irrigation water use. A stratified random sample of 500 permitted irrigators was selected from a data base--maintained by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Water Resources Management Branch--to o
Authors
Julia L. Fanning, Gregory E. Schwarz, William C. Lewis
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

National water quality assessment of the Georgia-Florida Coastal Plain study unit — Water withdrawals and treated wastewater discharges, 1990

The Georgia-Florida Coastal Plain study unit covers nearly 62,600 square miles along the southeastern United States coast in Georgia and Florida. In 1990, the estimated population of the study unit was 9.3 million, and included all or part of the cities of Atlanta, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and St. Petersburg. Estimated freshwater withdrawn in the study unit in 1990 was nearly 5,075 million ga
Authors
R. L. Marella, J. L. Fanning
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Estimated use of water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin during 1990, with state summaries from 1970 to 1990

The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin covers approximately 19,800 square miles in parts of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Most of the basin lies within Georgia as does most of the population. Most of the water withdrawn in the basin in 1990 was withdrawn in Georgia (82 percent). Withdrawals in Florida and Alabama each accounted for 9 percent of the total withdrawal in the basin. Water w
Authors
R. L. Marella, J. L. Fanning, W. S. Mooty
By
Water Resources Mission Area

National water summary 1987: Hydrologic events and water supply and use

Water use in the United States, as measured by freshwater withdrawals in 1985, averaged 338,000 Mgal/d (million gallons per day), which is enough water to cover the 48 conterminous States to a depth of about 2.4 inches. Only 92,300 Mgal/d, or 27.3 percent of the water withdrawn, was consumptive use and thus lost to immediate further use; the remainder of the withdrawals (72.7 percent) was return f
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Georgia irrigation, 1970-1980 : a decade of growth

No abstract available.
Authors
Robert R. Pierce, Nancy L. Barber, H.R. Stiles
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Below are partners associated with this project.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Georgia Power

Georgia Water Planning & Policy Center

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