Plan for water is studied

The future of the Savannah River is at risk and with it the future of Augusta, says the founder of the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy.

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Increased demands for water, from Atlanta to Savannah, have generated a need for Augusta to be ready to justify its needs and defend against accusations of polluting the river, said Gene W. Eidson, the academy's founder, president and CEO.

"South Carolina now wants an equal share," Dr. Eidson said. "And in order to meet these needs we will certainly see some economic impact. But then you have to add population growth, economic growth, the potential for increased interbasin transfers, not only to Greenville, S.C., but Atlanta's looking at the water now."

Increased hydropower needs and protection of the river's ecology also are factors, he said.

"We're about to develop the Georgia-South Carolina Water Compact," he said. "Augusta's probably got the most to win or to lose in this compact.

For that reason, the academy, based in Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, has begun a Savannah River at Risk Initiatives fund-raising campaign with a goal of getting $1.81 million from the community and local governments.

Mr. Eidson asked for and received $300,000 from Augusta commissioners Tuesday. He is seeking an additional $370,000 from the next special purpose local option sales tax issue to help fund the research along the urban corridor of the river during the next two years. The program will include biological and chemical studies and analyses of the river channel and its historic sediments.

Study results will provide the scientific underpinning for informed water policy decisions for the Savannah River basin and the urban corridor, which runs from the Stevens Creek Dam to New Savannah Bluff Dam. The objective is to evaluate relationships between watershed activities, hydrology, water chemistry and biology within that corridor and to develop a water-quality database that estimates the annual rates and sources of inorganic and organic constituents from multiple sources.

The academy will lead the effort by providing scientific research and education.

In 2004, Augusta was permitted to withdraw 164 million gallons per day from the river. By 2015, it is projected to need 239 million gallons per day.

Two years ago, Gov. Sonny Perdue created the Georgia Water Resources Council to establish a statewide comprehensive water plan by 2008. Last year, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford issued the Water Law Review proposing equal allocation of Savannah River water resources.

Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Wednesday, March 30, 2005 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle