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GWA Connects with Industry Leaders at GRWA Conference

Momentum from the Coast

  

The Georgia Water Alliance (GWA) recently made the trip down to the coast for the Georgia Rural Water Association Spring Conference on Jekyll Island, joining hundreds of water professionals, operators, vendors, and municipal leaders for one of the most important gatherings on Georgia's water calendar.
 

Representing GWA in the exhibit hall were Patrick Guthrie of Impact Public Affairs, a valued GWA partner, alongside Director of Operations and Strategy, Gowan Smith. 


GWA Board Members Tiffany Van Horn and Mark V. Smith also stopped by the booth, engaging directly with industry professionals, sharing the GWA story, building new relationships, and reconnecting with familiar faces from across the state's water community.
 

The Spring Conference draws a uniquely hands-on crowd: the operators, engineers, suppliers, and decision-makers who keep drinking water safe and wastewater systems running in large and small communities.

Throughout the event, the GWA booth served as a hub for dialogue about what the Alliance offers and why it matters now more than ever.
 

GWA brings the water industry together to advocate for sound policy, smart investment, and forward-looking regulation, ensuring that the people doing the work have a seat at the table when decisions are made.
 

Direct access to decision-makers. Members gain meaningful opportunities to engage with utility leaders, public officials, and fellow industry stakeholders in settings designed for real conversation, not just business cards.

Visibility where it counts. For vendors and solution providers, GWA membership creates pathways to the utilities and communities that need their products and expertise, connecting the right people at the right time.
 

The energy in the exhibit hall reflected something the GWA team has felt growing all year: Georgia's water professionals are ready to organize, collaborate, and lead. Conversations at Jekyll Island ranged from rural utility challenges and funding opportunities to workforce pipelines and the role of innovation in small-system sustainability.
 

A sincere thank-you to our Board Members, Patrick Gutherie, and our friends at Public Impact Affairs for their continued partnership, for representing GWA so ably. 

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Private Water Providers Are Stepping Up During Drought Cond

 Georgia is officially in a drought.


The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has declared a Level 1 Drought Response, with much of the state now classified under Extreme (D3) and Exceptional (D4) drought conditions, the most severe levels tracked nationally.


While this designation does not yet impose strict limitations, it signals an important point: now is the time to act.


A Shared Responsibility Across All Water Providers


For private water utility providers, drought response is not optional; it is part of our operational responsibility.

Through our state-issued permits and regulatory framework, private utilities are mandated to promote water conservation and support statewide drought response efforts. But beyond compliance, there is a broader expectation, and opportunity, to lead.


As members and partners of the Georgia Water Alliance, private utilities play a critical role in ensuring that conservation messaging is consistent, practical, and effective across the communities we serve.


What Level 1 Means and Why It Matters


A Level 1 Drought Response focuses on awareness, preparation, and voluntary conservation.

It’s not about restricting access to water; it’s about protecting it.


At this stage, water providers are expected to:

  • Educate      customers about current conditions
  • Encourage      simple, everyday conservation habits
  • Evaluate      system efficiency and reduce unnecessary water loss
  • Prepare      for the possibility of more severe drought levels

For private utilities, this means stepping forward early, before restrictions become necessary.


Leading by Example


Private water providers operate at the intersection of infrastructure, customer service, and environmental stewardship. During drought conditions, that responsibility becomes even more visible.


  • Clear, consistent communication with customers
  • Proactive conservation messaging aligned with state guidance
  • Operational discipline, including leak detection and system efficiency
  • Transparency, even when conversations become difficult


There are times when we must ask customers to think differently about their personal water usage, recognizing that it is a precious, vital resource. 


Those conversations are not always easy, but they are essential.

Georgia Water Alliance Hosts Event in Atlanta

Georgia Water Alliance Hosts Inaugural Legislative Reception

  ATLANTA, GA — The Georgia Water Alliance, a newly formed organization dedicated to advocacy, education, leadership, and conservation within the private and investor-owned water utility sector, welcomed industry leaders and state officials to its inaugural legislative reception last Tuesday at the Capital City Club.


Chairman of the Board Adam Shaifer expressed appreciation to those gathered, acknowledging the collaborative effort that led to the Alliance’s formation.


“Many of the people in this room have been an integral part of getting this organization where we are today,” Shaifer said. 


“Clearly, we recognize we need a little more organization, which is really the genesis for this Alliance. We look forward to working together to make our communities successful.”


Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones welcomed attendees and emphasized the growing importance of private water systems as Georgia’s population continues to expand.


“As the state continues to grow, we are going to have to rely on private water systems. You need good representation,” Jones said. 


He added that members of the Georgia General Assembly have long maintained an open-door policy toward investor-owned utilities and pride themselves on not being a hindrance to private business operations in the state.


The Alliance brings together private water utility owners across Georgia who collectively serve approximately 200,000 customers statewide. Its mission centers on raising public awareness of how private utilities operate, strengthening communication with policymakers, and promoting adherence to the industry’s best practices.


Board Member Mark V. Smith highlighted the diversity and scale of Georgia’s private water systems.“You may or may not know there are well over 1,000 private water systems in Georgia,” Smith said. “They range from a 20-home mobile home park to communities the size of The Landings in Skidaway Island… we bring private capital to provide solutions, we can move fast, and we can respond.”


Smith also noted the longstanding collaboration between private utilities and regulators.

“Over the last several decades, when Georgia EPD has an issue, they call us to go check on it and help people out. It’s a collaborative effort. We want to be good team players. That’s why we feel it’s important to organize and form this Alliance.”


Executive Director Rick Jeffares is a former State Representative and the President of the Georgia Rural Water Association. He welcomed and educated legislators as the organization continues its work to support reliable, compliant, and community-focused water service throughout the state.


As the Georgia Water Alliance moves forward, leaders say the focus will remain on policy engagement, industry education, and building partnerships that help communities thrive amid continued growth and infrastructure demands.

event Photo gallery

    Press Release

    Georgia Water Alliance Established as a Unified Voice for Private Water Utilities Across Georgia

     Atlanta, GA — The Georgia Water Alliance (GWA) has formally launched as a statewide organization with the mission to advocate and educate on behalf of Georgia’s private water utilities. 


    GWA will represent investor-owned water systems that serve thousands of Georgians across urban, suburban, and rural communities. 


    In Georgia, investor-owned water utilities are an essential component of the state’s water infrastructure. These private utility companies play a critical role not only in delivering safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services but also in investing private capital in infrastructure improvements, system upgrades, and long-term operational sustainability.


    “Our mission is to be a trusted resource for policymakers and stakeholders when it comes to private water utilities,” said Rick Jeffares, GWA’s Executive Director. 


    “We believe thoughtful, informed policy is best shaped through education, collaboration, and open dialogue—and that’s the role the Georgia Water Alliance is stepping in to fill.”


    GWA will strive to provide lawmakers and community leaders with clear information about the role private utilities play in Georgia’s water landscape. 


    “Private water utilities are long-term partners in the communities they serve,” Jeffares noted, “Their ability to invest capital, modernize systems, and respond efficiently to growth is a vital component to Georgia’s broader water delivery strategy.”


    In its first year, the Georgia Water Alliance plans to engage directly with state leaders, host educational briefings, and convene industry members to align around best practices and shared priorities. 


    The Alliance will also work to elevate constructive conversations around water infrastructure affordability, system sustainability, and strategic planning across Georgia.


    The Georgia Water Alliance welcomes dialogue with legislators and stakeholders interested in learning more about private water utilities and their role in meeting Georgia’s water needs.


    For more information on membership as a private utility owner or affiliate member, contact marketing@GAWateralliance.org

    More Information About GWA

    What is the Georgia Water Alliance?

     We are a statewide professional organization dedicated to representing, supporting, and advancing Georgia’s private water utilities. 


     Formed to meet a growing need for unified advocacy and shared expertise, GWA serves as a trusted voice for investor-owned and privately operated water systems across the state. Our members provide essential water services to communities large and small, supporting economic growth, public health, and long-term infrastructure resilience. 

    About Georgia Water Alliance

     We are a statewide professional organization dedicated to representing, supporting, and advancing Georgia’s private water utilities. 


     Formed to meet a growing need for unified advocacy and shared expertise, GWA serves as a trusted voice for investor-owned and privately operated water systems across the state. Our members provide essential water services to communities large and small, supporting economic growth, public health, and long-term infrastructure resilience. 

    Advocacy

     We work to ensure private utilities are fairly represented in legislative, regulatory, and policy discussions affecting water infrastructure, operations, and rates. GWA promotes balanced, informed decision-making that recognizing the vital role private systems play in Georgia’s water future. 

    Georgia Water Alliance

    5170 Peachtree Street STE 120

    marketing@gawateralliance.org

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