A judge has again ruled against Georgia in the continuing tri-state water wars case.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson in a three-page order Monday said an appeal by Georgia to the earlier ruling this summer "will only delay and further complicate the resolution of the important claims at issue".

In July, Magnuson ruled it is illegal for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to draw from Lake Lanier to meet the drinking water needs of metro Atlanta’s three-and-a-half million residents.

He’s given Georgia three years to work out a plan with neighbors Alabama and Florida. Recently, Georgia officials had given notice of their intention to appeal.

Tags: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Lake Lanier, Paul Magnuson, water wars