Bryan-Bulloch Groundwater Sustainability Program

Background

On October 7, 2024, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) issued Permit No. 016-0013 to the Bryan County Board of Commissioners to utilize 3.5 million gallons per day (mgd) on a monthly average and 3.5 mgd on an annual average from the Floridan aquifer from two wells located in Bulloch County; and Permit No. 016-0014 to the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners to utilize 3.5 million gallons per day (mgd) on a monthly average and 3.125 mgd on an annual average from the Floridan Aquifer from two wells located in Bulloch County. The four wells collectively are proposed to serve the Interstate 16 Industrial Mega-Site in Bryan County and other associated development.

The GSP is a joint program formed by the two Counties, each of which is responsible for appointing a Well Mitigation Manager to implement the program in their respective county and serve as a backup for the other Well Mitigation Manager in their absence. The Well Mitigation Managers are responsible for administering the GSP’s operations and execution of goals under the program to address significant impacts to existing eligible Floridan aquifer wells within the mitigation area to meet the conditions of the referenced Georgia EPD Groundwater Use Permits.

Quick Links

Program Hotline

If you are experiencing issues with your groundwater well and need assistance please call our hotline at 1-888-353-8020. Please leave a detailed message and someone will call you back within 24 hours.

Program Directors

Bulloch County Mitigation Manager:

James Pope

Bulloch County Administration Annex

115 N. Main Street

Statesboro, GA 30458

(912) 764- 6245

water@bullochcounty.net

Bryan County Mitigation Manager:

Paul Teague, P.E.

Bryan County Administration Building

66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive

Richmond Hill, GA 31324

(912) 653-3819

bryancountyga.gov

waterwell@bryancountyga.gov

Associated Links and Information:

Licensed Georgia Water Well Drillers

GSP Policy and Procedures

Well Mitigation Area

Well Registration Form

What You Need to Know About Your Well

Program Mission

The mission of the Bryan-Bulloch Groundwater Sustainability Program (GSP) is to conserve, preserve, and protect the Floridan aquifer groundwater resource in Bryan and Bulloch Counties. Furthermore, the GSP shall protect access to the Floridan aquifer and mitigate any existing eligible Floridan aquifer wells that experience significant impacts from the lowering of water levels due to withdrawals from the proposed Bryan and Bulloch wells permitted under Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) Permits No. 016-0013 and No. 016-0014

Wells Covered Under the Mitigation Program

Wells that qualify for potential mitigation through the GSP shall be limited to existing private residential drinking or permitted non-drinking agricultural wells, located in the mitigation area described above, that:

Were drilled on or before April 1, 2025, or the date on which the first of the four proposed Bryan and Bulloch wells, is placed into operation, whichever occurred last;
Withdraw water from the Floridan aquifer;
Experienced significant impacts from well water level lowering caused by withdrawals from the proposed wells covered by the referenced Groundwater Use Permits;
For non-drinking agricultural wells- those permitted by GA EPD on or before April 1, 2025, or the date on which the first of the four proposed Bryan and Bulloch wells is placed into operation, whichever occurred last;
Do not produce water for a public water supply; and
Meet the criteria for mitigation under the GSP’s Rules and Policies.