JASPER, Ga. — The final draft of North Georgia’s new water plan calls for the state to “explore opportunities for Georgia to expand use of the Tennessee River as a water supply source.”
The plan acknowledges “potential legal issues” that Georgia and Tennessee would have to work out, but also says the authors of the plan “would like future planning efforts to address this alternative water source in more detail.”
At a meeting here Wednesday, members of the Coosa-North Georgia Water Planning Council, which was charged in 2009 with developing a water plan, repeated their view that the Tennessee River is a regional resource.
“Where is the most water in the Southeast? It’s in the Tennessee River,” said John Bennett, Rome city manager and chairman of the water council.
The original draft unveiled in November suggested the state “evaluate potential partnerships in meeting future water supply needs, including sources such as the Tennessee River.” The final draft released Wednesday makes a point by adding the clause “which receives a significant flow originating in Georgia.”