One of the biggest water users in the state, Georgia Power, will open a research center to develop and test conservation technologies. The Water Research Center will be based at Plant Bowen near Cartersville.

Georgia Power officials say work will focus on improving water efficiency by looking at withdrawl, consumption, and recycling in the power generation process.

The utility’s Carol Boatwright says new technologies could be used by many entities.

“Utilities as well as other businesses. Any company or industry that would be to make use of the findings…we want to be able to share that.”

The center is an extension of a pilot program the utility began last year at Plant Bowen. It’s expected to be fully up-and-running by August of 2012.

Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers to all but four of the state's 159 counties.

Tags: Georgia Power, water conservation, Cartersville, Plant Bowen, Water Research Center, power generating