Water Quality and Quantity in Savannah: A Report on Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction
Water quality and quantity have become significant indicators of the Savannah area’s population and industrial growth, as highlighted in a report released by the Georgia Water Coalition. This report emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Uncontrolled Growth and Water Conflict
The Georgia Water Coalition points out that while metro Atlanta has historically been known for poorly managed growth, the state’s water conflicts have now extended to coastal regions. The report draws attention to the impact of residential and industrial development on the Floridan Aquifer and Abercorn Creek, which are crucial sources of drinking water in the Savannah region.
Floridan Aquifer: A Depleting Resource
Due to overwhelming local demand, the Floridan Aquifer, which spans across multiple states, including Georgia, has experienced saltwater intrusion near Savannah. As a result, state environmental officials implemented withdrawal restrictions in 2008. However, proposed wells in Bulloch County could potentially extract up to 6.6 million gallons of water per day from the aquifer to support Hyundai Motor Company’s electric-vehicle manufacturing complex. This extraction could lead to a significant drop in the aquifer’s depth and impact private wells in the surrounding area.
Protecting Property Owners
The Georgia Department of Environmental Resources has included conditions in state permits for the new wells to protect property owners who may experience adverse effects from increased water extraction. Bryan and Bulloch counties will be required to establish a fund to assist well owners facing unreasonable impacts. The available pool for this fund is expected to start at $500,000.
Abercorn Creek: Threats from Industrial Development
Abercorn Creek has been a vital source of drinking water for Savannah since 1948. However, the recent deepening of the Port of Savannah’s shipping channel raised concerns about potential saltwater intrusion into the creek. To address this issue, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mandated the construction of a reservoir adjacent to the creek. The rapid expansion of warehouses near the creek, driven by the port’s growth, poses a threat to its future.
Outdated Water Plans
The Coastal Georgia Regional Water Planning Council updated a multicounty water plan in 2022. However, environmental advocates argue that the plan does not adequately consider the impacts of port expansion and rapid growth in the area. They call for an updated plan that reflects recent data on land transformation and water needs.
Statewide Impact and Conclusion
The Georgia Water Coalition’s report highlights the consequences of failing to plan for growth and enforce existing laws to protect water resources. The economic development in Georgia, driven by clean-energy projects, must be balanced with sustainable practices to safeguard essential resources. The report also identifies other water bodies in the state, such as rivers and swamps, that require attention and protection.
John Deem covers climate change and the environment in coastal Georgia. He can be reached at jdeem@gannett.com
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity | – Overwhelming local demand on the aquifer led to the intrusion of saltwater near Savannah and prompted the state environmental officials to cap withdrawals in 2008. – The potential impact within a 5-mile radius of the Hyundai facility prompted the establishment of a fund to help well owners who experience “unreasonable impacts” related to increased extraction. – The depth of the aquifer could drop by as much as 19 feet near the wells, and private wells could decline by up to 15 feet. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements | – The rapid turnover of forest land to warehousing has increased the “contaminant susceptibility” level of Abercorn Creek. – The expansion of warehouses near Savannah’s water intake on Abercorn Creek threatens the future of the creek. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries | – Effingham County approved the construction of 1.1 million square feet of warehouses near Savannah’s water intake on Abercorn Creek, sparking protests from the city and clean water advocates. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: savannahnow.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
