"While our demands will grow, we want to assure that Georgia's water use in the future is met with the plans that are implemented," says EPD director Carol Couch.

The plan calls for a study of how much water is flowing from the state's rivers and how to allocate it to different regions.

Couch has suggested spending $30 million for the needed information over three years.

"We'll be presenting this as looking at new ways to approach water management and storage and hopefully we can move forward with a plan for local communities outside the metro area and the metro area as well," says Gov. Perdue.

Couch says the Water Council, made up of 14 appointed members, is expected to make a few more adjustments before today's final vote is taken.

The Legislature will then vote on the recommendations when it convenes next month.

December 21, 2007