Florida and Alabama want to take Georgia back to court in the decades-long water dispute over Lake Lanier.

They want a federal court to rehear their case, after it ruled in Georgia’s favor earlier this summer.

The earlier decision secured Georgia’s water rights to the federal reservoir.

The 11th US circuit court of appeals overturned a lower court’s ruling that sided with Alabama and Florida threatening the drinking water source for millions of Atlantans.

Those states argue the reservoir was never intended for water supply and hope the full court will agree.

But the three judge panel unanimously determined otherwise says Georgia’s lawyer Bruce Brown.

"This is not a surprise to the state of Georgia and Georgia of course believe the panel decision was correct," says Brown. "We do not want to expect what the full court will do, but would hope for a denial on the petition for rehearing."

Brown says he expects the full court to decide if wants to rehear the case in 30 days.

Tags: Atlanta, Florida, Alabama, Lake Lanier, tri-state water war, Water War, drinking water, water dispute