Solving Georgia’s water troubles is an emerging issue in the Governor’s race. Both Democrat Roy Barnes and Republican Nathan Deal stress conservation and the need for reservoirs in their water plans.

Barnes says the state won’t be able to meet the 2012 deadline a federal judge gave Georgia and neighboring states to work out a water sharing agreement. At a press conference beside the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta Wednesday, he set up the scenario of how he'd ask the judge for a mediator.

"We can’t negotiate by ourselves but I think if you appointed another mediator. Keep you away from it. You know you have the power to enter orders; you have the power to bring a resolution," says Barnes. "That’s what’s been lacking in this matter."

Brian Robinson with the Deal campaign says a republican will have a better chance negotiating.

"Nathan is certain with three republican governors taking office in January he can operate and negotiate in good faith with those new governors," says Robinson.

Political polls show the republican leading in both Alabama's and Florida’s governor’s races.

Tags: election, Nathan Deal, Roy Barnes, Lake Lanier, water plan, elections, Georgia water, elections 2010, Georgia Governor's Race 2010, Georgia elections 2010