How To Quench Atlanta's Growing Thirst

A severe water shortage is threatening Atlanta, and critics blame the region's unchecked growth as a primary cause for the its current predicament.

1 minute read

November 29, 2007, 6:00 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"Few places embody growth in the Atlanta area better these days than tiny Forsyth County, 28 miles northeast of the downtown. Forsyth has experienced the fifth-fastest growth spurt in the country over the past decade, making it the fastest-growing suburb of the nation's fastest-growing city."

"The breakneck speed with which this area is changing from poultry farms to bedroom communities is the result of the build-now approach that has long defined growth in Atlanta, say local officials, planners and environmentalists."

"Growth has created wealth and opportunities for Forsyth County, but it also has stoked conflicts - over roads, over tax revenues and especially over water.

The state of Georgia is locked in a war with its neighbors over how much water should remain in Lake Lanier and how much should be released downstream from the dam that stands on Forsyth County's eastern border. Environmentalists are at odds with developers and public officials over policies that they say harm the streams. Forsyth County residents are chafing under a system that forces them to buy water from the county seat, Cumming, rather than pull it out of the lake directly."

Monday, November 26, 2007 in The Tennessean

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

May 2 - SD News

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

May 2 - KSL

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

May 2 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO