Thirsty City

Politics, Greed, and the Making of Atlanta's Water Crisis

By Skye Borden | Publisher: State University of New York Press

About the book

Atlanta is running out of water and is in the midst of a water crisis. Its crumbling infrastructure spews toxic waste and raw sewage into neighboring streams. A tri-state water war between Alabama, Florida, and Georgia has been raging since 1990, with Atlanta caught in the middle; however, the city's problems have been more than a century in the making. In Thirsty City, Skye Borden tells the complete story of how Atlanta's water ran dry. Using detailed historical research, legal analysis, and personal accounts, she explores the evolution of Atlanta's water system as well as charts the poor urban planning decisions that led to the city's current woes. She also uncovers the loopholes in local, state, and federal environmental laws that have enabled urban planners to shirk responsibility for ongoing water quantity and quality problems. From the city's unfortunate location to its present-day debacle, Thirsty City is a fascinating and highly readable account that reveals how Atlanta's quest for water is riddled with shortsighted decisions, unchecked greed, political corruption, and racial animus.

Editions of Thirsty City

Hardcover
ISBN 9781438452791
Paperback
ISBN 9781438452784
PDF
ISBN 9781438452807

Read an Excerpt

Atlanta is running out of water and is in the midst of a water crisis. Its crumbling infrastructure spews toxic waste and raw sewage into neighboring streams. A tri-state water war between Alabama, Florida, and Georgia has been raging since 1990, with Atlanta caught in the middle; however, the city's problems have been more than a century in the making. In Thirsty City, Skye Borden tells the complete story of how Atlanta's water ran dry. Using detailed historical research, legal analysis, and personal accounts, she explores the evolution of Atlanta's water system as well as charts the poor urban planning decisions that led to the city's current woes. She also uncovers the loopholes in local, state, and federal environmental laws that have enabled urban planners to shirk responsibility for ongoing water quantity and quality problems. From the city's unfortunate location to its present-day debacle, Thirsty City is a fascinating and highly readable account that reveals how Atlanta's quest for water is riddled with shortsighted decisions, unchecked greed, political corruption, and racial animus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thirsty City about?

Atlanta is running out of water and is in the midst of a water crisis. Its crumbling infrastructure spews toxic waste and raw sewage into neighboring streams. A tri-state water war between Alabama, Florida, and Georgia has been raging since 1990, with Atlanta caught in the middle; however, the city's problems have been more than a century in the making. In Thirsty City, Skye Borden tells the complete story of how Atlanta's water ran dry. Using detailed historical research, legal analysis, and personal accounts, she explores the evolution of Atlanta's water system as well as charts the poor urban planning decisions that led to the city's current woes. She also uncovers the loopholes in local, state, and federal environmental laws that have enabled urban planners to shirk responsibility for ongoing water quantity and quality problems. From the city's unfortunate location to its present-day debacle, Thirsty City is a fascinating and highly readable account that reveals how Atlanta's quest for water is riddled with shortsighted decisions, unchecked greed, political corruption, and racial animus.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Thirsty City?

Earth Sciences, Geography, Environment, Planning > Regional and area planning > Urban and municipal planning and policy

Where can I read a sample of Thirsty City?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781438452791

How long is Thirsty City and how many pages does it have?

Thirsty City has 202 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Thirsty City?

Skye Borden

Who is the Publisher of the book Thirsty City?

State University of New York Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Thirsty City is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781438452791) and paperback(ISBN 9781438452784) and pdf(ISBN 9781438452807)

Where can I buy Thirsty City online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Thirsty City from below

Where can I buy Thirsty City?