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City of Savannah

City of Savannah. Water, the Lifeline of the Community. Problem. Groundwater Withdrawals Artesian Water Level Decline Saltwater Encroachment and Saltwater Intrusion. Implications for Chatham County. Without Any Management Efforts.

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City of Savannah

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  1. City of Savannah Water, the Lifeline of the Community

  2. Problem • Groundwater Withdrawals • Artesian Water Level Decline • Saltwater Encroachment and Saltwater Intrusion

  3. Implications for Chatham County Without Any Management Efforts • Saltwater continues to move towards Savannah from the Hilton Head area • Hilton Head Island wells contaminated in 100 years • Projected to enter Savannah area in 260 years • State mandate to reduce groundwater usage and seek alternative sources • Possible moratorium on growth and development

  4. Regulatory Actions • Following Corps Water Resource Study in 198 • EPD implements plan to reduce groundwater use • 1986, EPD restated position regarding the 1983 plan • No new industrial wells in Chatham County • Well setback line established • Any new (or increased) industrial water demand must rely on surface water • 5 MGD cap placed on entire county

  5. Regulatory Actions • In 1989, EPD advises Chatham County/Savannah to encourage the use of surface water for future needs • In 1990, the Director of the EPD again strongly encourages the use of surface water from the Savannah I&D Plant • June 1995, County-wide Water Supply Management Plan adopted • April 1997, EPD releases Interim Strategy for 24 counties in southeast Georgia

  6. Interim Strategy • Sound science studies initiated and funded by State appropriations and paper mills. Total cost for 7 year study is $14 million • All 24 counties to develop water plans • Groundwater caps for Chatham, southern Effingham, and southern Bryan counties • Reduce groundwater use by 10 MGD in Chatham County by December 31, 2005 • Encourage and promote water conservation and reuse water whenever feasible

  7. Savannah Initiatives • Savannah is a key player in development and implementation of county-wide water plan • Savannah assisted EPD in the development of the Interim Groundwater Strategy • Savannah has developed a multi-year capital and financial plan to address future water supply issues and to comply with the EPD Interim Groundwater Strategy • The surface water treatment plant expansion was funded in 1995 and completed in 2000. The total cost to expand the plant by 12.5 MGD was $17.5 million

  8. Savannah’ Groundwater Savings Strategies What can a city do to minimize expensive capital projects, yet ensure water supplies are adequate? • Conduct unaccounted for water audits • Leak repair programs and meter calibrations • Fire protection and looping improvements • Alternate water sources for irrigation • Water conservation program • Conversion of light industrial and commercial groundwater use to surface water

  9. Water Audits • Water Production - Total Sales = Unaccounted for Water • Unaccounted for water consists of unmetered free accounts, fire protection, water leaks and water theft • To achieve a more accurate water audit • Meter free accounts and obtain fire protection usage figures

  10. Leak Repair and Meter Calibration • Reduce the number of leaks in the system in order to reduce the unaccounted for water • Establish meter calibration programs for both production meters and customer accounts

  11. Total Water Leaks

  12. Looping Program and Fire Protection Improvements • Improved water quality reduces flushing • Elimination of dead-ended lines results in better water quality • Looped water lines also improve fire protection • Looping lines have helped the city reduce its required flushing • In 1999, the city used a total of 21.8 MG to maintain water quality in 800 miles of distribution system • In 2000, the city used a total of 15.0 MG to maintain water quality

  13. Alternate Water Sources For Irrigation • Reclaim water facility presently serves the golf course on Hutchinson Island and the Savannah Golf Club. Groundwater savings are estimated at 150 million gallons per year. • Shallow wells developed for 15 squares in Savannah’s Historic District. Groundwater savings total 9.0 MG/year.

  14. Water Conservation Program • Continue public outreach and education: • Our Mascot, “Less Waters” • Indoor/Outdoor Water Conservation kits • Water Wisdom video • Water Sourcebooks to schools • Plumbing retrofit program for residential homes has saved approximately 1.113 MG/year. • Plumbing retrofit for public housing complexes has saved approximately 3 MG/year.

  15. Benefits of Groundwater Savings Strategies • Total customer base in last 17 years increased by 17% • Total water production from all city wells has remained constant over the last 17 years • Total water leaks reduced by 65% from 3,242 leaks in 1981 to 1,131 leaks in 2000

  16. Dwelling Units vs. Pumpage

  17. Reclaimed Water Facility System • The City of Savannah began construction of the reclaimed water system in 1998. It was completed in 1999. The cost to the city was $1,343,654.84. • It is one of the largest wastewater systems in the state capable of pumping up to five million gallons per day of reclaimed water.

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