Officials with Georgia, Florida and Alabama are asking a judge to keep their negotiations in the long-running legal fight over water rights confidential.

A motion filed this week says the states have already begun “confidential negotiations”, and want a court backing to ensure discussions stay that way.

It’s also been announced at least five more meetings have been set to continue water talks, following a governors meeting last month.

Last year, a federal judge ruled Georgia has few legal rights to use Lake Lanier for metro Atlanta drinking water needs.

The state has three years to reach a deal with neighbor states.

Tags: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Lake Lanier, water wars, water rights, confidential negotiations