Drought worsens statewide

Rules adopted in 2004 to ensure water conservation, are now being used as Georgia marks the driest spring in decades.

The drought’s economic impact can already been seen as fires in the northern and southeastern parts of the state have cost an estimated 18-million dollars.

Effective immediately, Georgia is at level two drought alert.

That means outdoor water use for residents is limited to the hours of midnight to 10-am.

Authorities with the Georgia Environmental Protection Agency say this is the first since the rules were adopted in 2004 that Georgia has reached a level two alert.

The worst --- or highest – alert status is level 4.

The state’s Department of Agriculture warns that a shortage of rain means planting will be delayed for peanut and cotton crops.

And that means farmers and consumers will feel the effects of a continuing drought in their wallets.