Cagle says Water Task Force has long list of ideas to prioritize

GAINESVILLE - One of the challenges facing Governor Perdue's Water Task Force is juggling the varying opinions of the task force members.

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, appearing Wednesday on WDUN's Local Hour, said that a number of members look at conservation as a primary means of managing the state's water resources.

"They want more of a mandatory approach to, you know, low-flush toilets, along with retrofitting of showers and sinks and things of this nature," commented Cagle.

The Lt. Governor said those measures are important, but they are costly. He also said that the task force has looked at the possibility of re-use of water, another costly option, based on treatment of that supply

The task force this week noted that new reservoirs are vital for more water supply for Georgia, but that it will take at least eight years to bring new reservoirs online. That's five years after a federally imposed deadline for Atlanta to stop using water in Lake Lanier for drinking supply.

Cagle also called for municipalities to cooperate in the face of the state's water supply problems.

"You've got to have better inter-connectivity, where communities are connected together to supply the shortfall that could potentially come," said Cagle.

The Water Task Force is comprised of 80 members, representating business, political and community interests in Georgia.