GE, Atlanta CoC assemble state's largest water sustainability forum

• 200 community, industry leaders discuss region's water solutions & scarcity challenges

ATLANTA, GA, Dec. 10, 2007 -- GE Water & Process Technologies and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (MACOC) co-hosted the Georgia Water Solutions Forum today. The Forum is a thought leadership conference that is designed to bring together leading water experts from the government, municipalities and industrial and technology businesses to explore sustainable approaches to Georgia's unprecedented water shortage.

Georgia's water challenges are a long-term threat to the economy of Georgia and metro Atlanta. The ever-receding water levels at both Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier in Georgia are pushing drinking water suppliers toward extraordinary measures to keep metro Atlanta's drinking water flowing and fit to drink. Metro Atlanta is home to more than half of the state's population-over 5 million people. The population has doubled over the past 20 years, and if the trend continues, an additional 2.3 million people may call Metro Atlanta home by 2030.

"Addressing water scarcity calls for a multi-disciplinary approach that maximizes economic and social interests without compromising the sustainability of water sources," says Jeff Garwood, president & CEO, GE Water & Process Technologies. "GE is committed to working with key stakeholders in Georgia to address water scarcity and its challenges."

"Today, we are bringing together some of the greatest thought leaders in government and business to talk about short-and long-term strategies for Georgia's water shortage," said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "While short-term measures are needed to address the immediate drought crisis, the drought emphasizes the need for a long-term comprehensive statewide water plan."

Water scarcity is a significant global problem today and the global crisis is only expected to grow over the next 20 years. According to the 2006 UN World Water Development Report, many parts of the world's water supplies are decreasing and water quality is worsening -- all while demand is growing at an unprecedented rate. The solution starts at the local level by involving the right people, discussing potential short and long-term solutions and acting on them.

For more information about the Forum visit: http://www.ge.com/gwsf

A world leader in water, water reuse, wastewater treatment and process solutions, GE Water & Process Technologies brings the best technologies to enhance our customers' efficiency while protecting our environment.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce -- with our 4,000 member companies that collectively employ more than 700,000 workers -- is a catalyst for a vibrant metro region.

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