A first-of-its-kind conference on regional water issues - including who will have access to the Savannah River's valuable water supply - will be held in Columbia County next week, with opportunities for the public to attend.

The Savannah River at Risk forum, with Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue as keynote speaker, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Savannah Rapids Pavilion, with seating available for more than 400 people.

"We feel like our participants will be able to present a balanced, two-state overview of the issues," said Jackie Maryak, the executive director of the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, the sponsor of the event.

The Savannah River, a boundary between Georgia and South Carolina, is among the nation's most complex water systems, providing drinking water for cities, hydroelectric power and water for industries. The river also helps maintain valuable estuaries along the coast and many miles of swampland.

Tuesday's forum will include overviews of the likely challenges both states will face as growth places inevitable strains on the river's water supply and the ecosystem it feeds. Issues that have surfaced in recent years include how to divide the resource between two states if supplies run short and whether metro Atlanta could someday tap the Savannah to supplement its growth-strained water resources.

"I think our presenters will help make the public aware of a lot of issues that will impact them, and their daily lives - everything from water bills to the environment," Ms. Maryak said. "Not only are folks in Atlanta, Columbia, Savannah and Anderson stakeholders, but every citizen of Augusta is, too."

The event is free. Reservations may be may be made by calling 828-2109 or visiting www.natural sciencesacademy.org and clicking on the Savannah River at Risk Public Forum link. For more information, call the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy at 828-2109.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.