Consumptive Water Use—A Critical Component of Georgia’s Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan

Abstract

Water planning and management are most effective when accurate information is used to effect good water-policy decisions. Knowing how much water is withdrawn from available water resources, how much of the water is consumed, and how much is no longer available for use are necessary for effective resource management. To provide this important information, the Georgia Water-Use Program (GWUP), a cooperative project between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GaEPD), collects, compiles, and disseminates water-use information on the major water users in the State.