Perdue proposes water-saving legislation

ATLANTA - Gov. Sonny Perdue is proposing conservation legislation, such as more efficient water fixtures, for all new construction in Georgia.

Perdue held a news conference on Wednesday and said some of his proposals include incentives for participation.

If approved, the measures would be effective July 2012 coinciding with the deadline set by a federal judge for Georgia, Alabama and Florida to reach a compromise on the states' long-standing stalemate over water use and, more specifically, the water in Lake Lanier.

Perdue says talks with Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist are moving forward.

Perdue said conservation efforts must be made regardless of whether the courts allow Atlanta to use Lake Lanier as a source of water. He left stricter measures to local leaders, saying a one-solution approach to conservation was not realistic.