The North Georgia outdoor watering ban is fueling an ongoing water dispute with neighboring Alabama. North Georgia is in a level four drought, the most severe category, and Lakes Allatoona and Lanier could reach record lows if rain does not come soon. Sam Olens, who chairs the Atlanta Regional Commission, says Alabama, which gets water from both lakes, needs to impose a watering ban as well. "We should all encourage our residents to preserve water," said Olens, "but if you have one area at level 4 and another state with no watering ban that’s just piggish." Alabama officials say they leave watering bans up to local governments. Last month, Birmingham loosened its summer restrictions and now allows sprinklers at odd-even days.
