SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF DRINKING WATER IN WEST GEORGIA: BASELINE WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS FOR POTENTIAL RESERVIORS IN CARROLL AND HARALSON COUNTIES, GEORGIA

The four-year drought coupled with population growth has necessitated the need for conservation and the search for additional sources of drinking water. The drought began during the second half of the 1998 year, and intensified throughout 1999 and 2000 with only 21.7 inches and 25.67 inches of total rain, respectively (rainfall values measured at Plant Wansley in Roopville, Georgia). These values are about half of the 50 inches of average rainfall that west Georgia receives annually. Although the first half of this year has received near normal rainfall, this region of Georgia must protect itself and be capable of supplying its residents with sufficient water in case more prolonged droughts develop. The hunt for more drinking water includes finding potential reservoir sites. Locating a drinking water reservoir is a complex process that involves water quality analysis, flow measurements, politics, public opinion, environmental considerations, government regulations, economics, and supply and demand. A 650-acre reservoir is under construction on Snake Creek in southern Carroll County and a 2300-acre reservoir is being contemplated on Beach Creek in Haralson County. Our results (West Georgia Watershed Assessment) for 2001 show fecal coliform bacteria levels range from 0 - >2000 colonies/100 mL at Snake Creek. These high levels are due primarily to runoff from agricultural fields and cow pastures. Snake Creek has the highest turbidity (900 NTU) and TSS (1120 mg/L) of the streams in Carroll County. Steep slopes that have construction, 4-wheeler trails, dirt roads, and a large junkyard cause the high turbidity.