The Middle Ocmulgee Water Council today approved a final water plan to send to state environmental officials. By the end of the month Georgia’s 10 other regional water planning councils will do the same.

State lawmakers created the councils three years ago to plan for water needs in different regions. They are also supposed to protect public health and the environment.

But former DNR biologist Les Ager says the Middle Ocmulgee plan does not go far enough because it suggests conservation rather than mandating it.

“It doesn’t take a scientist to look at a body of water like the Ocmulgee River and see grass growing in the middle of the river and realize that there is a problem.”

Middle Ocmulgee officials say their region stretching from Newton south to Pulaski County has ample water and no gaps in resources.

Tags: Georgia water, Middle Ocmulgee Water Council, Georgia Water Management Act