Salt Water Detected in Primary Ground Water Source in Georgia

Salt water has been detected in the primary groundwater source for the coastal area of Georgia, the Georgia Green Industry Association reported.

This could be a major factor for future agricultural production plans, including nursery, landscape and greenhouse operations. It will affect agricultural interests in the 24-county coastal area seeking a permit to withdraw groundwater from the Upper Floridan aquifer.

The original Interim Strategy for dealing with saltwater intrusion along the coastal area of Georgia was issued in 1997. Essentially at that time the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) indicated that saltwater intrusion was occurring in the Upper Floridan aquifer (the primary source of ground water along the coast) in the Brunswick and Savannah areas.

The Interim Strategy did two things: a. initiated scientific study to determine why saltwater intrusion was occurring in the Upper Floridan and ways to stop intrusion and b. established a cap on additional permits for water withdrawal at 36 million gallons per day. When it was issued, it was envisioned to provide reasonable allocation of water through the end of 2005. But, in 2001, the EPD already allocated the 36 million gallons per day. This has resulted in the issuance of a supplement to the Interim Strategy and was the subject of discussion at four recent public meetings.

Input for the final strategy is welcome. E-mail Bill Frechette at bill-frechette@mail.dnr.state.ga.us or call 404/657-6010.

The author is Managing Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at nwisniewski@lawnandlandscape.com.