City of City of SavannahSavannah

Water, the Lifeline of the Water, the Lifeline of the CommunityCommunity

ProblemProblem Groundwater WithdrawalsGroundwater Withdrawals

Artesian Water Level Decline Artesian Water Level Decline

Saltwater Encroachment and Saltwater Encroachment and Saltwater IntrusionSaltwater Intrusion

Implications for Implications for Chatham CountyChatham County

Saltwater continues to move towards Saltwater continues to move towards Savannah from the Hilton Head areaSavannah from the Hilton Head area

Hilton Head Island wells contaminated in Hilton Head Island wells contaminated in 100 years100 years

Projected to enter Savannah area in 260 Projected to enter Savannah area in 260 yearsyears

State mandate to reduce groundwater State mandate to reduce groundwater usage and seek alternative sourcesusage and seek alternative sources

Possible moratorium on growth and Possible moratorium on growth and developmentdevelopment

Without Any Management Efforts

Regulatory ActionsRegulatory Actions

Following Corps Water Resource Study in 198Following Corps Water Resource Study in 198 EPD implements plan to reduce groundwater useEPD implements plan to reduce groundwater use

1986, EPD restated position regarding the 1986, EPD restated position regarding the 1983 plan1983 plan

No new industrial wells in Chatham CountyNo new industrial wells in Chatham County Well setback line establishedWell setback line established Any new (or increased) industrial water Any new (or increased) industrial water

demand must rely on surface waterdemand must rely on surface water 5 MGD cap placed on entire county5 MGD cap placed on entire county

Regulatory ActionsRegulatory Actions In 1989, EPD advises Chatham In 1989, EPD advises Chatham

County/Savannah to encourage the use of County/Savannah to encourage the use of surface water for future needssurface water for future needs

In 1990, the Director of the EPD again In 1990, the Director of the EPD again strongly encourages the use of surface water strongly encourages the use of surface water from the Savannah I&D Plantfrom the Savannah I&D Plant

June 1995, County-wide Water Supply June 1995, County-wide Water Supply Management Plan adoptedManagement Plan adopted

April 1997, EPD releases Interim Strategy April 1997, EPD releases Interim Strategy for 24 counties in southeast Georgiafor 24 counties in southeast Georgia

Interim StrategyInterim Strategy Sound science studies initiated and funded Sound science studies initiated and funded

by State appropriations and paper mills. by State appropriations and paper mills. Total cost for 7 year study is $14 millionTotal cost for 7 year study is $14 million

All 24 counties to develop water plansAll 24 counties to develop water plans Groundwater caps for Chatham, southern Groundwater caps for Chatham, southern

Effingham, and southern Bryan countiesEffingham, and southern Bryan counties Reduce groundwater use by 10 MGD in Reduce groundwater use by 10 MGD in

Chatham County by December 31, 2005Chatham County by December 31, 2005 Encourage and promote water Encourage and promote water

conservation and reuse water whenever conservation and reuse water whenever feasiblefeasible

Savannah InitiativesSavannah Initiatives Savannah is a key player in development and Savannah is a key player in development and

implementation of county-wide water planimplementation of county-wide water plan Savannah assisted EPD in the development Savannah assisted EPD in the development

of the Interim Groundwater Strategyof the Interim Groundwater Strategy Savannah has developed a multi-year capital Savannah has developed a multi-year capital

and financial plan to address future water and financial plan to address future water supply issues and to comply with the EPD supply issues and to comply with the EPD Interim Groundwater StrategyInterim Groundwater Strategy

The surface water treatment plant expansion The surface water treatment plant expansion was funded in 1995 and completed in 2000. was funded in 1995 and completed in 2000. The total cost to expand the plant by 12.5 The total cost to expand the plant by 12.5 MGD was $17.5 millionMGD was $17.5 million

Savannah’ Groundwater Savannah’ Groundwater Savings StrategiesSavings Strategies

Conduct unaccounted for water auditsConduct unaccounted for water audits Leak repair programs and meter calibrations Leak repair programs and meter calibrations Fire protection and looping improvementsFire protection and looping improvements Alternate water sources for irrigationAlternate water sources for irrigation Water conservation programWater conservation program Conversion of light industrial and commercial Conversion of light industrial and commercial

groundwater use to surface watergroundwater use to surface water

What can a city do to minimize expensive capital projects, yet ensure water supplies are adequate?

Water AuditsWater Audits Water Production - Total Sales = Water Production - Total Sales =

Unaccounted for WaterUnaccounted for Water Unaccounted for water consists of Unaccounted for water consists of

unmetered free accounts, fire unmetered free accounts, fire protection, water leaks and water theftprotection, water leaks and water theft

To achieve a more accurate water To achieve a more accurate water auditaudit Meter free accounts and obtain fire Meter free accounts and obtain fire

protection usage figuresprotection usage figures

Leak Repair and Meter Leak Repair and Meter CalibrationCalibration Reduce the number of leaks in Reduce the number of leaks in

the system in order to reduce the the system in order to reduce the unaccounted for waterunaccounted for water

Establish meter calibration Establish meter calibration programs for both production programs for both production meters and customer accountsmeters and customer accounts

Total Water LeaksTotal Water Leaks

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Nu

mb

er

Of

Leaks

198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001

Year

3242

2952

24372385

2326 2331 2331

1940

1825 1846

1648

1468 15061406 1395

1342

12171260

1113 1131

1005

Total Water Leaks

Looping Program and Fire Looping Program and Fire Protection ImprovementsProtection Improvements

Improved water quality reduces flushingImproved water quality reduces flushing Elimination of dead-ended lines results in Elimination of dead-ended lines results in

better water qualitybetter water quality Looped water lines also improve fire Looped water lines also improve fire

protectionprotection Looping lines have helped the city reduce Looping lines have helped the city reduce

its required flushing its required flushing In 1999, the city used a total of 21.8 MG In 1999, the city used a total of 21.8 MG

to maintain water quality in 800 miles of to maintain water quality in 800 miles of distribution systemdistribution system

In 2000, the city used a total of 15.0 MG In 2000, the city used a total of 15.0 MG to maintain water qualityto maintain water quality

Alternate Water Sources Alternate Water Sources For IrrigationFor Irrigation Reclaim water facility presently Reclaim water facility presently

serves the golf course on Hutchinson serves the golf course on Hutchinson Island and the Savannah Golf Club. Island and the Savannah Golf Club. Groundwater savings are estimated Groundwater savings are estimated at 150 million gallons per year.at 150 million gallons per year.

Shallow wells developed for 15 Shallow wells developed for 15 squares in Savannah’s Historic squares in Savannah’s Historic District. Groundwater savings total District. Groundwater savings total 9.0 MG/year.9.0 MG/year.

Water Conservation Water Conservation ProgramProgram Continue public outreach and education:Continue public outreach and education:

Our Mascot, “Less Waters”Our Mascot, “Less Waters” Indoor/Outdoor Water Conservation kitsIndoor/Outdoor Water Conservation kits Water Wisdom videoWater Wisdom video Water Sourcebooks to schoolsWater Sourcebooks to schools

Plumbing retrofit program for residential Plumbing retrofit program for residential homes has saved approximately 1.113 homes has saved approximately 1.113 MG/year.MG/year.

Plumbing retrofit for public housing Plumbing retrofit for public housing complexes has saved approximately 3 complexes has saved approximately 3 MG/year.MG/year.

Benefits of Groundwater Benefits of Groundwater Savings StrategiesSavings Strategies

Total customer base in last 17 Total customer base in last 17 years increased by 17%years increased by 17%

Total water production from all Total water production from all city wells has remained constant city wells has remained constant over the last 17 yearsover the last 17 years

Total water leaks reduced by 65% Total water leaks reduced by 65% from 3,242 leaks in 1981 to 1,131 from 3,242 leaks in 1981 to 1,131 leaks in 2000leaks in 2000

Dwelling Units vs. Dwelling Units vs. PumpagePumpage

50000

55000

60000

65000

70000

75000

80000

Dw

ellin

g U

nit

s

7500

8000

8500

9000

9500

10000

Pu

mp

ag

e in

MG

19881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001

YearDwelling units Pumpage

Dwelling Units vs Pumpage

Reclaimed Water Facility Reclaimed Water Facility SystemSystem The City of Savannah began The City of Savannah began

construction of the reclaimed water construction of the reclaimed water system in 1998. It was completed in system in 1998. It was completed in 1999. The cost to the city was 1999. The cost to the city was $1,343,654.84.$1,343,654.84.

It is one of the largest wastewater It is one of the largest wastewater systems in the state capable of systems in the state capable of pumping up to five million gallons pumping up to five million gallons per day of reclaimed water.per day of reclaimed water.