North and middle Georgia officials told the state's water supply task force the reservoir-building process is long and costly.

The task force is going across the state getting input on how to spend millions for water supply projects.

Governor Nathan Deal is planning to spend $300 million over the next four years to develop new water sources including reservoir projects.

Forty-seven million of that will be distributed this year.

At a water task force meeting in Gainesville, Dahlonega’s city manager Bill Lewis says locals are going to need all the help they can get to meet future water needs.

"Every little bit helps, I’m just not sure it’s enough. Given the needs we have in the state not only from supply standpoint, but given needs of local governments to construct these projects and you go into them not knowing what your costs are going to be," says Lewis.

Lewis says his city's reservoir cost twice as much and took longer to build than originally anticipated.

He and other local officials urged the state to do what it can to simplify the regulatory process.

Environmentalists want water conservation projects funded in the mix.

Tags: reservoir, water supply task force, Dahlonega City Manager Bill Lewis