Keeping tabs on the capitol: “Water Stewardship” passes unanimously out of the House Natural Resources committee The House version of the Governor’s “Water Stewardship Act of 2010” passed unanimously out of the House Natural Resources committee today. House Bill 1094 (http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/hb1094.htm) could be on the House floor next week for a full vote when the state legislature reconvenes.
HB 1094 seeks to create a culture of conservation in Georgia by:
-encouraging every state department to look at its water conservation practices
- requiring sub-metering for new multi-unit construction by July 01, 2012
- requiring the installation of low-flow toilets and fixtures for all new construction by July 01, 2012
- tracking unused water withdrawal permits for agriculture purposes, and establishing a process for those unused permits to revert back to the state
- scheduling outdoor watering of residential yards between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
The Georgia Conservancy supports HB 1094 and has worked with the Governor’s Office to make improvements to the bill. “The State of Georgia has come a long way this legislative session to addressing our serious water use and availability issues,” said Will Wingate, Vice President of Advocacy for the Conservancy. “We hope that Florida and Alabama will take note of Georgia’s new progressive approach to water conservation and water efficiency as we continue to negotiate with them on a water sharing agreement.”
