Privatized and Aging US Water Infrastructure

Tri-State Water Wars- A Decades-Long Conflict between Alabama, Florida and Georgia

Article by: Michelle O'Brien

Introduction:

Water conflicts have occurred throughout history for various reasons, either limitng or expanding the abundance of species and success of civilizations. The purity and sacredness of water has diminished with the expansion of modern society. In many regions across the US, water is perceived to flow endlessly from one’s tap with little thought on long-term availability. Collective indifference and ignorance toward water consumption has caused an entire nation to consume as if supplies can’t or won’t run dry. To some, the thought of a war on water is a foreign concept believing water conflicts exist only in 3rd world countries, but as populations of large cities across America expand, water scarcity will rise.

With Water Shortages Comes Water Conflicts

Water shortages arise when the abundance of water is not evenly distributed across regions or throughout the year.[1] These factors increase water stress among neighboring states, especially in populous regions with high water use. For the past few decades, Alabama, Florida and Georgia have experienced water conflicts firsthand through a litigation termed the Tri-State Water Wars,[2] a definitive example of Southeastern US water conflict. In 1990, Alabama sued the Army Corps of Engineers over the extent of water withdrawal from the city of Atlanta, Georgia, marking the beginning of decades long ‘water wars’.[3] Florida joined the lawsuit soon after. According to the United States Forest Service, factors contributing to water shortages in the eastern U.S. include a growing population, climate change, groundwater shortages, and increase in air temperature among other factors.[4]

Tri-State Water Wars

For the past few decades, Alabama, Florida and Georgia have experienced water conflicts firsthand through a litigation termed the Tri-State Water Wars,[5] a definitive example of Southeastern US water conflict. In 1990, Alabama sued the Army Corps of Engineers over the extent of water withdrawal from the city of Atlanta, Georgia, marking the beginning of decades long ‘water wars’.[6] Florida joined the lawsuit soon after.

The dispute began when the state of Georgia started increasing the amount of water being withdrawn from Lake Lanier to sustain their growing population, neighboring states grew concerned their water supplies would be directly affected.

The state of Florida claimed the increase withdrawals would directly impact the sustainability of the Apalachicola Bay oyster industry, which officially collapsed in 2012.[7] Almost a decade later, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed the Bay until 2025, with hopes of restoring the population for future use.[8] Although court rulings have not confirmed the causes of collapse were a direct result of Georgia’s increase water withdrawals, countless allegations have been made.

Image source: https://atlantaregional.org/natural-resources/water/tri-state-water-wars-overview/

The three states share the same water source, accessed by the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) and the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) River Basins.[9] In 2016 the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin was deemed the most endangered river the United States.[10] The reason for the ACF’s high ranking was outdated and poor water management, resulting in negative consequences for individuals, communities, farmers, and numerous species.[11]

The basin provides 70% of Atlanta’s drinking water, and water access to over 4 million people.[12] The ACF Rivers provide economic incentives to local communities through a range of recreational activities, including the nation’s first National Water Trail along the Chattahoochee River, generating over $290 million each year and attracting millions of visitors. [13]

Conclusion

Although numerous lawsuits have been filed over the years, the tri-states have failed to come to an agreement where all parties are satisfied. Georgia has historically taken many of the winnings throughout the decades and has secured more gains this year. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased Georgia’s access to water storage from Lake Lanier and the Supreme Court finalized the case between Florida and Georgia, where Florida lost (2021).[14] Metropolitan areas will continue to expand, increasing stress and conflict over access to large amounts of shared water supplies.[15] As the population of the planet increases, the agricultural industry will escalate food production, subsequently leading to increased stress on water supplies.

“If the wars of this century were fought over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought over water- unless we change our approach to managing this precious and vital resource”

-1995 World Bank Vice president Dr. Ismail Serageldin

[1] Climate Change and Water Issues for the Eastern US. USDA Forest Service. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://forestthreats.org/products/sgcp/sgcp_chiefsbriefing_feb2010version.pdf. [2] Tri-state water wars overview. ARC. (2021, October 5). Retrieved October 17, 2021, by MO. https://atlantaregional.org/natural-resources/water/tri-state-water-wars-overview/. [3] Tri-state water wars overview. ARC. (2021, October 5). Retrieved October 17, 2021, by MO. https://atlantaregional.org/natural-resources/water/tri-state-water-wars-overview/. [4] Climate Change and Water Issues for the Eastern US. USDA Forest Service. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2021, by MO. https://forestthreats.org/products/sgcp/sgcp_chiefsbriefing_feb2010version.pdf. [5] Tri-state water wars overview. ARC. (2021, October 5). Retrieved October 17, 2021, by MO. https://atlantaregional.org/natural-resources/water/tri-state-water-wars-overview/. [6] Tri-state water wars overview. ARC. (2021, October 5). Retrieved October 17, 2021, by MO. https://atlantaregional.org/natural-resources/water/tri-state-water-wars-overview/. [7] Farrington, B. (2020, December 16). Florida shuts down oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay through 2025. Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved October 21, 2021, by MO. https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/12/16/florida-shuts-down-oyster-harvesting-apalachicola-bay-through-2025/3926665001/. [8] Person. (2020, October 16). 2012 oyster fishery collapse in Apalachicola. ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a4aeb3ffb6254adcbe4d22f3c9755f7b. [9]Tri-state water wars overview. ARC. (2021, October 5). Retrieved October 17, 2021, by MO. https://atlantaregional.org/natural-resources/water/tri-state-water-wars-overview/. [10] For more information - American rivers. American Rivers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2021, by MO. https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MER2016_FullReport.pdf. [11]For more information - American rivers. American Rivers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2021, by MO. https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MER2016_FullReport.pdf. [12]For more information - American rivers. American Rivers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MER2016_FullReport.pdf. [13]For more information - American rivers. American Rivers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MER2016_FullReport.pdf. [14] The "Water Wars" and opportunities for change. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. (2021, October 5). Retrieved October 25, 2021, by MO. from https://chattahoochee.org/2018/06/tri-state-water-conflict/. [15] says:, P. A., says:, M., says:, D. M. C., says:, J., says:, E. I., says:, A. S., says:, F. L., Says:, E. L., Says:, N., says:, B. D., says:, G., Says:, D., Says:, Y., says:, D. D. D. A. S., says:, E. A. W., says:, D. M. G., & *, N. (2019, March 20). Future widespread water shortage likely in U.S. Science in the News. Retrieved October 23, 2021, by MO. https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/widespread-water-shortage-likely-in-u-s-caused-by-population-growth-and-climate-change/.