WATER RESOURCES

We live in an area of the United States blessed with abundant water resources. In Chatham County, Georgia, we use the Savannah River for industrial purposes; groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer for drinking water and industrial uses; and we receive approximately 50 inches of rain a year. So why should we conserve? There are many reasons. We should conserve to ensure that our children have an abundant, clean water supply. We should conserve to help protect the Floridan Aquifer from saltwater intrusion. And conserving water means saving money and energy.

Water is never created or destroyed. It is endlessly recycled in a process called the hydrologic cycle. You could drink the same water today that a dinosaur drank millions of years ago.  However, the population of our planet is growing rapidly. We must learn to use less water if we are to accommodate more people.

When learning about water resources, it is important to consider how water is processed, delivered to, and taken away from our homes, businesses, and industries. Drinkable water is not free. Water treatment facilities and the distribution of water is costly. We must remember this and not take water for granted when we turn on our taps, take showers, and water our lawns.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Water Resources Program (Adobe PDFformat - Presentation)

Water Resources - NPS (Adobe PDF format - Presentation)

Water Pollution Poster (Adobe PDF format)

What's the Problem with Pet Waste (Powerpoint - Presentation)

TMDL Basics (Adobe PDF Format) - Presentation

Car Wash Seminar (Adobe PDF Format) - Presentation

Savannah River Buffer Slides (Adobe PDF Format) - Presentation

T he U.S. Geological Survey provides an expansive Water Resource Web site. There you'll find information on Georgia's rivers and streams. You'll also find information about ground water, water quality, and many other topics. The USGS operates the most extensive satellite network of stream-gaging stations in the state, many of which form the backbone of flood-warning systems.