CITY OF ATLANTA 55 TRINITY AVE. SW ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30335-0300   TEL (404) 330-6100

SHIRLEY FRANKLIN MAYOR

 

Water is our lifeblood. We can live without food for several weeks. Without water, we die within three to four days. Every great civilization has depended on a reliable water source -- the Egyptians, the Romans, the Incas, the Mayan. All built their societies on access to clean, safe drinking water, constructing reservoirs, aqueducts, dams and vast pipelines.

Atlanta, too, depends on its water. But it is the largest major city not built on a large body of water. We depend on a water source -- the Chattahoochee River -- that is relatively small, given that it supplies such a large population. Unlike many other large cities, that grew up as ports, Atlanta grew up as a railroad terminus.

That relatively small water source makes it imperative that we conserve the resource that is so important to our quality of life.

Our water and sewer systems date back to the late 1800s. They have been upgraded and rehabilitated over the years, but many of our pipes are antiquated, leaking and broken. If we were to do nothing, our children would pay. That is why we are spending billions of dollars to overhaul those systems. We are doing what we can to ensure that our children -- and their children -- enjoy clean, safe drinking water, because it is our responsibility to them to leave the world better than we found it.

In 2004, Atlanta committed $1 billion toward water system improvements, even though that investment was not mandated. With that $1 billion, the City is replacing water mains and meters, and identifying and repairing leaks in the system. That year, the City also began using conservation pricing for its water/sewer bills, rewarding those who use less water.

Under an extensive leak identification and repair program, Atlanta has repaired almost 8,000 leaks this year alone. The City is currently averaging 800 leak repairs a month compared to 700 a year when the water system was operated privately.

Atlanta is in the first year of a three-year, $35 million project to replace its 148,000 water meters with Automated Meter Reading technology, which will reduce leaks, allow meters to be read remotely and ensure accurate billing. Alreadywe have replaced more than 55 miles of old water mains in communities throughout the City. When the water main replacement project is completed, the City will have replaced more than 130 miles of water mains.

At the same time, we are conserving. Atlanta's water production was 105.9 million gallons a day for the first four days in November 2006. This year, the production was 98.5 mgd over the same time period, a reduction of 7 percent. This reduction in usage is coming as the number of accounts increases. For example, in November 2006, the City was billing 158,960 accounts for a total of 662 gallons per day per account. In October 2007, those numbers were: 183,405 accounts using 537 gallons per day per account, a reduction of 129 gallons per account or 19.4 percent.

Since 2000, the City's customer base has risen by 9 percent, but its water consumption has dropped by 5 percent.

But that isn’t enough. The City also is acting on a number of initiatives designed to help our customers conserve. Among those are:

• A $1 million ultra-low-flow toilet rebate in cooperation with Home Depot and the Atlanta Regional Commission;
• A contract with an engineering firm to help fund water audits for out large users;
• A conservation workshop for our 50 largest users; and
• New policies on landscaping (one 30-day exemption per property per year) and pools (can be permitted but not filled).

We are also taking a long-term approach to water supply, having purchased the Vulcan Quarry in Northwest Atlanta with the intention of converting it into a two-billion-gallon reservoir.

Atlanta is determined to set an example with its conservation efforts. Many of you, our residential, commercial and industrial customers have indicated your willingness to support our efforts and to engage long term conservation programs. We are spending the money and taking the necessary action to help ensure clean, safe drinking water for our children and grandchildren well into the future. Thank you for your support and continued commitment to conservation.

Shirley Franklin,

Shirley Franklin

Mayor, City of Atlanta