Water Supply in Our Region
Are you thirsty for knowledge about our water in metro Atlanta? Find out about the amount we use, where it comes from, how it gets from its source to our homes and what you can do to ensure we have adequate supply in the future through these frequently asked questions.
How much rainfall do we receive?
You may have noticed that our rainfall varies. Although we get an average of 50 inches of rain per year, some years it seems like it rains every day and other years we have a drought. You might think that when it rains we don’t need to save water, but the fact is that smart water use is always important. Understanding where our water comes from and how it is used will help you understand why. Get stats for the monthly rainfall in Metro Atlanta
Where does our water come from?
More than 99% of our water comes from rivers, streams and reservoirs. In fact, 73% of the water supply for the 15 counties of the Metro Water District comes from Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River. The rest of the water comes from the Etowah, Flint and Ocmulgee rivers. Our rivers are fairly small, so we rely on reservoirs like Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona for most of our water. Learn more about the water supply in our region
Why don’t we use groundwater for our supply?
We can’t get much water from the ground because underneath our soil is a layer of thick granite. You are probably familiar with Stone Mountain, but the part sticking out of the ground is only the beginning. The rock extending under a large part of our region seriously limits the amount of water that can be withdrawn from the ground. Learn more about the water supply in our region
How much water have we saved?
Our community has worked hard to save water. We use 30 percent less water now than we did in 2000. As a result, our projected water use in 2050 has been decreased by more than 300 million gallons per day. Each small amount used adds up, which is why we promote that every drop counts and look for ways to save. Even saving energy can help save water. Learn more about the water we've all saved
What is the energy/water connection?
Electric utilities use water to generate electricity. Then, water utilities use energy to treat our drinking water in our homes and businesses. Finally, utilities use energy to treat wastewater before it goes back into rivers and streams. Interestingly, it takes 4 times the amount of water we use for drinking, bathing, cleaning and landscaping to produce the electricity we need for lights, televisions, computers and air conditioning. Learn how to conserve energy
What can I do to conserve?
You can use our water use calculator to find our how much water you are using, learn ways to conserve, and then take the pledge to show your commitment. Join the movement for saving water and encourage your friends and neighbors to take part too.