Drought Forces Water Restrictions

Faced with worsening drought conditions in about three-fourths of the state, along with water supply concerns in some areas, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has declared it will raise the state’s drought response to Level 2 in 52 counties and impose a Level 1 Drought Response in an additional 58 counties.

“Today’s declaration is driven by an extended period of little or no rain and increasing dryness in the impacted areas,” said EPD Director Richard Dunn. “What’s more, there is little hope for relief as weather forecasters expect an unusually warm, dry winter across most of the state.”

This week marks the 24th week of continuous severe drought in northwest Georgia, the 22nd week for the Atlanta metro area, the 21st week in northeastern parts of the state and the 15th week in central Georgia. In addition there is a decline in soil moisture and some streams are flowing at or below record lows set during droughts in 2007 and 2011.

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During a Level 2 Drought Response, outdoor landscape watering is only allowed two days a week determined by odd and even-numbered addresses. Even-numbered addresses and properties without numbered addresses may water on Wednesday and Saturday between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Odd- numbered addresses may water Thursday and Sunday between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.

Prohibited outdoor water uses include:

•Washing hard surfaces such as streets and sidewalks.

•Water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains.

•The use of fire hydrants, except for firefighting and public safety.

•Non-commercial washing of vehicles.

•Non-commercial pressure washing.

•Fund raising car washes.

Those counties assigned a Level 2 Drought Response include Newton, which serves some of Jasper County with water.

Customers of Alcovy Shores Water & Sewer Authority and Jasper County Water and Sewerage Authority get some or all of their water from Newton County. Therefore, those households are subject to the Level 2 restrictions listed above. Monticello will likely soon go to a Level 2 response.

Haralson County and the cities of Griffin, Tallapoosa, Waco and Buchanan have reported water supply issues and have been granted EPD variances to impose water use restrictions greater than state requirements.

A Level 1 Drought Response requires that public water systems implement a public information campaign.

Those counties assigned a Level 1 Drought Response are numerous, and include the remainder of Jasper County.

The following activities are allowed under both Level 1 and Level 2 Drought Responses:

•Irrigation of personal food gardens may be done at any time of day.

•Irrigation of new and replanted plant, seed, or turf may be done at any time of day for 30 days after installation.

•Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses may be done at any time of day and hand-watering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container may be done at any time of day.

•General landscape watering may be done between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. on the designated days.

More water conservation information is available at http://epd.georgia.gov/water-conservation.